A Trick of the Light (1995)

Gertrud Skladanowky grew up in Pankow, near Berlin, surrounded by a vibrant atmosphere of creativity fostered by her father Max and her uncles Emil and Eugen. This environment nurtured her imagination and ignited her longing for authentic artistic expression.

Gertrud formed a particularly strong bond with her uncle Eugen, a talented clown and magician. His adventurous spirit greatly influenced her aspirations, instilling in her a desire for genuine expression in the entertainment world.

Max Skladanowsky was fervently dedicated to realizing his vision of motion picture technology, working closely with Emil as they showcased their magic lanterns at fairs. Their pursuit highlighted the family's innovative spirit but also contrasted with Gertrud's desire for authenticity in entertainment.

When Gertrud learned that her beloved uncle Eugen had joined a traveling circus, her heart soared, even though this meant he would be away for a long time. This news filled her with both admiration for his adventure and sadness due to his impending absence.

Before Eugen's departure, Gertrud discovered a mysterious box crafted by her father, holding the secrets of their latest invention—film strips. Her curiosity led her to accidentally expose the initial set of images, a moment that could have derailed their project.

Despite the initial mishap, the second set of images remained untouched, allowing Max to impress onlookers with a groundbreaking demonstration of life-size projection of Eugen. This demonstration marked a significant milestone that captured the fascination of many around them.

On December 28th, 1895, Max and Emil witnessed the Lumière brothers' historic demonstration at the Grand Café on Paris's Boulevard des Capucines. This moment filled Max with shock as he realized his apparatus was inferior to theirs, igniting a fierce determination to improve.

Following the Lumière brothers' success, whispers of the revolutionary invention spread rapidly through Berlin, attracting artists eager to be immortalized on film. The buzz created immense anticipation for the Skladanowsky brothers' upcoming films.

The esteemed operators of the Wintergarten vaudeville company showed interest in the Skladanowskys’ ambitions and wanted to strike a business deal in Pankow. Max, watching from a distance, grew intrigued by their plans, hinting at potential opportunities.

In an unexpected turn, Emil overheard a thief attempting to sell a rival production to the Wintergarten owners. Following this thief led to the explosion of his contraption, providing a moment of satisfaction for Emil as he watched the directors’ astonishment unfold.

The brothers aimed to enhance their film by convincing a renowned artist to perform her captivating serpentine dance. They believed her performance would elevate their project and draw greater interest from the audience.

During an intimate moment, Emil accidentally set fire to the original footage of the performance when a candle got too close to the film strips. This mishap forced the brothers to think creatively and act quickly to salvage their ambitious project.

Determined to recover what was lost, Emil successfully recorded Josephine performing her dance once again. During the final showing, neither Max nor the audience realized the switch, except for the original performer observing from the sidelines.

The film screening concluded with overwhelming applause from the audience, marking a significant success for the Skladanowsky brothers. This triumph underscored their resilience and ability to overcome challenges in their pursuit of film innovation.

As the narrative shifts, Lucie Hürtgen-Skladanowsky reflects on her father's impact on cinema, blending her cherished memories of the past with the present. The return of Eugen and Gertrud introduces a palpable tension, leading to their mysterious escape from a notorious spy.