“My Wife Cries”, interview with actors Vladimir Vulević and Agathe Bonitzer

After winning the Silver Bear for Best screenplay in in 2023 with her feature film “Music”, Angela Schanelec returns to the Berlinale competition, at the 76th edition, with her new film “My Wife Cries”.

The film stars actor- director Vladimir Vulević and actress Agathe Bonitzer as a couple in crisis trying to survive betrayal and lack of communication.

Entering Angela Schanelec’s world

Some critics defined german director Angela Schanelec’s films as “strange trips”. Her actors, especially Agathe Bonitzer who already worked with her in “Music” (2023) confirms that the director has her own way of directing, being very precise in her scripts but not really explaining every step of the film’s process.

Vladimir Vulević, who’s also a director in Serbia, reveals that, according to Serbian cinema’s rules, the actors have to totally trust their directors and follow their directions. It’s not up to the actors to five their own interpretation of a story or the character they’re playing as they were conceived by the director.

A plan

About her protagonists in the film, Angela Schanelec writes: “After their love has been called into question by what has happened, Thomas and Carla no longer have a plan, no idea what they should do, how their lives are to continue. But life does go on. Things happen, friends appear, dreams come to light”.

Vladimir Vulević and actress Agathe Bonitzer comment on this sentence confirming that the film delves into complex themes of communication, loneliness, and human connection, offering a compelling narrative that resonates deeply with audiences.

“My Wife Cries” captures a poignant story that revolves around the silent struggles and emotional crises faced by its characters. The film explores how not just words but the absence of communication influences relationships.

One of the central themes in “My Wife Cries” is the complex relationship between communication and silence. The characters’ inability to fully express their emotions creates an underlying tension that drives the narrative. Vladimir Vulević reflects on how the film examines not only the lack of communication but also moments when communication succeeds despite barriers like language and emotional distance. It’s a story about shared loneliness and the unspoken desire to connect, demonstrating how silence can be both a barrier and a bridge.

Plot