Sisi & Ich
Director: Frauke Finsterwalder
Writer: Frauke Finsterwalder, Christian Kracht
Cast: Sandra Hüller, Susanne Wolff, Angela Winkler, Sibylle Canonica, Sophie Hutter, Georg Friedrich, Tom Rhys Harries, Stefan Kurt, Maresi Riegner, Markus Schleinzer, Johanna Wokalek
Seen on: 19.4.2023

Content Note: eating disorder, rape (implied)

Plot:
Countess Irma Sztáray (Sandra Hüller) is rather old and unmarried. She is not unhappy with her fate, but her mother (Sibylle Canonica) is. So when there is an opening as a lady-in-waiting for Empress Sisi (Susanne Wolff), she makes sure that Irma gets the job. Even if that means that Irma has to prove her non-existent gymnastic skills. As Irma is happy to escape her mother, it’s not the worst possibility for her. So, she is glad to travel to Greece where Sisi is on a long vacation/escape. Sisi lives an unconventional life, and even though she is not exactly kind to Irma, the two start to become friends.

Sisi & ich is an interesting take on the Sisi mythology that veers off the beaten path of her story in many ways. While the first half works better than the second, I found it an overall intriguing film that deserves its time in the spotlight despite a recent slew of new Sisi-productions.

With Corsage coming out recently, as well as two TV series about Sisi, there is certainly something zeitgeisty about her character, or rather the attempts to find a new perspective about her that is less romanticized than the Marischka-Trilogy and maybe even feminist. Sisi & Ich tries a more comedic tone, at least in the first half, which works rather well. But when the film loses the comedy a little, it also loses its freshness, turning more dramatic and conventional, which is a shame.

But the first half is certainly well done. The absurdities Irma has to suffer to be allowed close to Sisi, both by the people around them and by Sisi herself are funny without making light of the obvious eating disorder that prompt Sisi’s obsession with fitness or her literally starving herself. For both Sisi and Irma, it’s all about maintaining whatever control they can in an environment that leaves them very few options (admittedly, Sisi is much better at this than Irma). This is also the bond that ultimately pushes them together, even as they continue the power struggle between each other.

That this works as well as it does is in large part due to Hüller and Wolff who are just perfect in their roles. They have chemistry, comedy and are grounded in a way that keeps the audience emotionally tethered. That they get to play in beautiful sets and costumes makes things even better. Speaking of sets and costumes: the film is not interested in historical accuracy, neither with its production design, nor its narrative. And that’s quite refreshing.

In a way, Corsage and Sisi & ich are good companion pieces that make us question our images of Sisi in particular, but also the place in the power hierarchy of women in general – then and now. While neither film is without fault, both are worth seeing, even if one could say that we could start making movies about other famous Austrian women.

Summarizing: definitely engaging.