The Anarchist's Wife

In a story spanning several decades, The Anarchist’s Wife depicts the way the marriage between an idealistic young activist and his glamorous wife is dominated by shifting political powers during the Spanish Civil War and World War II. Justo’s (Juan Diego Botto) political activism separates the couple for years as he goes into hiding and is ultimately deported to a concentration camp, but Manuela (Maria Valverde) steadfastly clings to as much of their old lives as possible in rapidly deteriorating circumstances, raising their children and facing multiple tragedies on her own. After the war, Manuela uproots her life to rush to Justo’s side, only to find that she must again share him with a cause.In this historical drama that incorporates archival footage, a rich score, and memorable visuals to carefully evoke Spain in the 1930s and '40s, husband-and-wife filmmakers Peter Sehr and Marie Noelle employ impressive historical detail in this story of a single family that finds that unyielding devotion does not come without a price. The film celebrates the couple’s single-minded loyalties— Manuela to her husband and Justo to his beliefs—but also depicts the negative repercussions, especially on the couple’s headstrong young daughter, Paloma (Ivana Baquero). Told through Paloma’s point of view, the story of her parents’ undying love and political commitment is at once wholly romantic and somewhat bittersweet.
CAST
Maria Valverde, Juan Diego Botto, Nina Hoss, Ivana Baquero, Jean-Marc Barr, Laura Morante

Marie Noëlle, Peter Sehr - 

Marie Noëlle is an author, screenwriter, and filmmaker. She began collaborating with Peter Sehr in 1979. In 1988 they formed the production company P'Artisan Filmproduktion GmbH. She worked with renowned German filmmaker Herbert Achternbusch and in 1995 wrote and directed her first feature, Ich Erzähle Mir Einen Mann, which was nominated for the Max Ophüls Prize.

Peter Sehr is a scientist and studied at Oxford University. While there he made two short films and discovered his love for filmmaking. In 1980 he moved to Paris and worked at the Institut Curie but continued to dabble in film. In 1982 he began pursuing his directing career in earnest. His films include Kaspar Hauser (1993), Obsession, which screened at Sundance in 1998; and Love the Hard Way (2001).

Screenings:

Fri. Jan 16 3:00 p.m. - ANARC16EA Egyptian Theatre, Park City
Sat. Jan 17 3:30 p.m. - ANARC17GA Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, SLC
Sun. Jan 18 11:30 a.m. - ANARC18LD Library Center Theatre, Park City
Wed. Jan 21 8:00 p.m. - ANARC21RN Racquet Club, Park City
Sat. Jan 24 6:30 p.m. - ANARC24OA Peery's Egyptian Theater, Ogden