Leon (Schubert), a young writer, privately tortured over doubts about his second novel, travels with his friend Langston (Uibel) to a seaside resort town ostensibly to finish his edits. Once there however, distractions abound—from an attractive stranger who is staying at the house, to a visit from his well-meaning editor, to a series of wildfires raging nearby that threaten everything. Overwhelmed, Leon allows his insecurities and conceitedness to take over and he becomes a massive jerk to everyone around him. A slight detour for acclaimed director Christian Petzold whose films are typically noir-tinged thrillers, AFIRE is more of straight character study but it still ratchets up the tension with the question as to whether Leon will realize that he is being a complete asshole before disease, death, and disillusionment take everything from him. 

Double Feature with SHOWING UP