Watch Gertrud

Gertrud, directed in 1964 by the famous Danish filmmaker Carl Theodor Dreyer, tells the story of a woman who decides to leave her husband, an older and wealthy statesman, in order to pursue her own desires and passions. Gertrud Kanning, played by Nina Pens Rode, is a 40-year old former opera singer who is unhappily married to Gustav Kanning, a successful lawyer and politician. Gertrud's dissatisfaction with her life begins to surface during a party celebrating her husband's latest successful case. As Gustav continues to speak about his accomplishments and their life together, Gertrud reminisces over a former love, Erland Jansson, a composer who she had left for Gustav years prior.

Feeling suffocated by her husband's emotionally distant personality and the restrictions placed on her as a wife, Gertrud decides to leave Gustav and pursue a relationship with Erland. However, Erland proves to be an equally unattainable and detached figure, and Gertrud soon realizes that her search for fulfillment may be futile.

Throughout the film, Gertrud encounters various men who serve as potential romantic interests, including a young and ambitious journalist and a widowed judge who has always been intrigued by Gertrud's spirit. However, Gertrud remains steadfast in her search for a deeper connection and a love that fulfills her emotionally and intellectually.

The film is an exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the search for meaning and purpose in life. Gertrud's character is a symbol of the struggles faced by many women during the 1960s, who were navigating societal expectations and gender roles. Gertrud is both a victim and a rebel, torn between the desire for autonomy and the fear of being ostracized.

The film is shot in Dreyer's signature style, with long and lingering takes of the characters' faces and minimalistic settings that heighten the emotional intensity of the scenes. The dialogue is poetic and philosophical, with Gertrud delivering several monologues that reflect her longing for a deeper connection and a life that is less superficial.

Nina Pens Rode delivers a remarkable performance as Gertrud, capturing the character's contradictions and vulnerabilities with nuance and depth. The supporting cast, including Bendt Rothe as Gustav Kanning and Ebbe Rode as Erland Jansson, also give convincing performances that add to the film's emotional depth.

Gertrud was not a commercial success upon its release in 1964, but it has since been recognized as a masterful work of art and a testament to the cinematic vision of Carl Theodor Dreyer. The film's themes and characters continue to resonate with modern audiences, making it a timeless classic that showcases the complexities of human relationships and the search for meaning in life.