New documentary "ERICH MARIA REMARQUE UND MARLENE DIETRICH – FLUCHT IN DIE LIEBE"
An intimate look at a love story shaped by exile, art, and resistance
August 21, 2025
In their new documentary Erich Maria Remarque und Marlene Dietrich – Flucht in die Liebe, directors Hedwig Schmutte and Rolf Lambert retrace the story behind Remarque’s internationally acclaimed novel Arc de Triomphe. Through Remarque’s own experience of exile and his deeply influential relationship with Marlene Dietrich, the film illuminates how personal and political turmoil can give rise to lasting works of literature.
Produced by NDR and ARTE, the 52-minute documentary travels from Paris and Antibes to Los Angeles and New York, reconstructing the emotional and historical backdrop of Arc de Triomphe, a novel now seen as a cornerstone of European exile literature. At its core, the story is both a portrait of war’s dislocation and a testament to the enduring impact of Remarque’s relationship with Dietrich—two world-renowned figures brought together in a time of upheaval.
The premiere of the film will take place on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 6:00 PM at Cinema-Arthouse, Erich-Maria-Remarque-Ring 16, 49074 Osnabrück. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers and special guests, and a reception. Admission is free.