THE RISING, FALL AND REST OF MARIA VON HERZIG
© Antoni Padrós 1986



Confessional melodrama, on edge and purposely out of tune, where music underlines every accion with accurate precision.

A Spanish actress, Maria Montenegro, is successful in the nazi Germany under the name of Maria Von Herzig. Very seriously ill she is forced to go back to Spain where she confines herself in a mansion to prepare what will be her last perfomance.

Scorted by her secretary and confident she speaks of the past splendours while she feverishly identifies with the role of Werther's Lotte, her last chance to remain in the fictitious world of cinema.

Madden she drags herself towards the most absolute decadence. Withim exasperation, in a total and absolute confusion, she will call on Werner and Werther, convinced that it is Werther who has finally come to free her of her suffering. Ecstasy will come beyond death, finally being Werther's Lotte, while Jan Kiepura sings "Heute nacht oder nie".