This year’s least catchy title disguises a rather fascinating film; Udo Flohr’s German language period drama is not one for casual viewers, but is rewarding for those willing to focus. An interest in the subject helps; this is the story of a serial killer, and is based on real events, but put aside any anxieties about blood-letting; this is an intensely cerebral film, and one which makes few concessions to the many lurid ancestors which exist within in this genre.
The setting is Bremen, Germany in the 1820’s; the coming of rail promises to transform the country’s prospects, and looking at the success of the nearby port of Lubeck offers fresh opportunity to land-owners and merchants alike. Of course, those in charge are largely men, but Cato Böhmer (Elisa Thiemann) arrives in the town to challenge the glass ceiling of male dominance. Cato is soon drawn into another mystery; some locals have been poisoned with a substance known as ‘mouse butter’ and Gesche Gottfried (Suzan Anbeh) is a prime suspect. A confession must be witnessed to be legal, and Cato’s developing relationship with Gottfried puts the younger woman centre stage as the authorities seek to create the circumstances which would allow them to administer justice in the form of the death penalty.
Knowing that the events depicted here are based on a true-life murder-spree marks our cards somewhat as to what’s about to happen, but Effigy: Poison and the City takes a number of diversions, not least when a rain of blood falls on the city just at the moment that some corpses are exhumed. Such Gothic touches encourage thoughts of a super-natural twist, but Flohr’s film sticks rigidly to the everyday, and captures Cato’s rise to prominence in the foreground, and the murder enquiry firmly as the background to the narrative.
Fans of The Alienist or Hannibal Lecter need not apply, but admirers of studied costume drama should; this is a restrained, almost meditative work which is well-acted and mounted with skill on real life-locations. I recently had the opportunity to visit Lubeck, mentioned in the narrative as a city with similar qualities, and found it to be remarkably unchanged from the 1800’s, and Bremen’s well-preserved quality adds to the production values here. Effigy: Poison and the City may frustrate those looking for cheap thrills, but it’s a stimulating and rare outing into a period of history that’s rarely examined. Flohr deserves credit for tacking issues like anti-Semitism here, as well as feminism, and the final confession scene is gripping stuff. Audiences self-select for a film of this difficulty, but if you’ve been curious enough to read this far, you’ll enjoy Effigy: Poison in the City.
This film is scheduled for US release from Dec 18th 2020 in theatres/online via Laemmle virtual cinemas, who have been curating indie and foreign films to provide cinema at home during the lockdown. Thanks to Project Lodestar for advanced access. Links below.
https://www.laemmle.com/film/effigy-poison-and-city
Having interpreted Gesche the serial killer I have the urge to say that I understand Gesche using elegantly arsenic mouse butter on her husband who was violent on her and an alcoholic with syphilis that he got at the surrounding Bordells. Then giving birth to his 3 kids and almost dying every time. What would we do today as woman in a situation like this ?
…Hey Suzan, You did a great job! So, yes, a serial killer is not always an irrational creature for sure, and there may be method in what seems like madness. This film does a great job in sketching the divide between men and women, and the control that men had of the social system at the time. Gesche may seem like a villian, but her actions need to be seen in context, and that context is more important here than the thriller element. I hope this discussion inspires a few viewers to take a look at such an original film!
Mouse butter, huh? Rat poison had been used frequently on humans, so I’d guess beyond the obvious utility of such solution there’s a bit of metaphor hidden within: people as rats/mice/vermin. Interesting!
Take it as a positive, but you might just have the right mind-set for this film! Certainly one of the more reasonable serial killers we’ve seen to date…
Well, thank you! I’ll take it as a compliment 😀 Have you seen Spoor?
No, but have interviewed the director and it looks good to me! Thanks for the tip, I’ll follow that up!
Glad you enjoyed this and that it gave you a mental workout. Period costumes aren’t enough of a draw for me though and in the case of Empire Waist dresses, are a downright turn off. As much as I love the Jane Austen books, watching the movies is always a trial.
I quite like a good period costume, and maybe I was shell-shocked after The Prom, so I was suckered in by the old-school outfits. Don’t worry, more Michael Caine in the pipeline!
Since I am truly interested in serial killers (not romantically of course) – I’d watch this. Mouse butter or not, knowing about killers is what I appreciate.
I’d be concerned if you were interested in them romantically! To me, a film can be art, and not all art is thrilling or exciting, it can be meditative, or soothing, or any number of different emotions can be provoked. So my point in their review is just to say that not all stories about serail killers are about last minute escapes; this one is about confession, and a unusual connection. It’s high-brow stuff, but rewarding for those who take the time! Thanks as always for the comment!
I’d watch this just to get the recipe for ‘mouse butter’.
The number of times the phrase ‘mouse butter’ is used in this film is surreal. The first time it came up, I had to stop the film and google it, but by the 20th time, I was like ‘who doesn’t know what mouse butter is?’ But don’t try making it at home, untill you’re a serail killer…
I just did google it, poor mice!!!
I was very discreet about this, not my responsibility what you find on google!
Of course it is, but no matter I’m not watching a serial mice killer, so Nope to this.
I should point out that NO mice are harmed in this film. Or even seen.
Well that’s quite misleading then.
Pffftt…that’ll be why it’s not called How to Make Mouse Butter in 10 Days then…
Exactly!!
Thanks for the great review!! And funny you should mention not seeing any mice. On set we actually fell in love with adding an extra scene that would have Müller (the lanky office manager) chase a mouse in the Senator’s office, on his hands & knees and all. But alas, we also had to chase a gruesomely tight 18-day shooting schedule (due to our micro budget) – so it never happened. Next time.
Hey Udo! You did a great job anyway! And now you know that the internet is close to breaking with discussion of mouse butter! I know that this is the most serious of films in terms of subject, but it makes me smile to hear of your ‘extra scene’!