A Trick of the Light (1995)

A rare gem of cinematic storytelling that weaves docudrama, fictional reenactment, and experimental photography into a powerful, reflective work on the early days of German cinema. The film tells the story of the Skladanowsky Brothers, the German-born duo responsible for inventing the "bioskop", an early version of the film projector.

Cast (32)CrewGenresDetailsReleasesMediaAwards

Udo Kier

Max Skladanowsky

O

Otto Kuhnle

Emil Skladanowsky

C

Christoph Merg

Eugen Skladanowsky / Jongleur (Der Jongleur)

N

Nadine Büttner

Gertrud Skladanowsky

L

Lucie Hürtgen-Skladanowsky

Herself

B

Bodo Werner Lang

Postbote

Rüdiger Vogler

Hochradfahrer

A

Alfred Sczczot

Spion

Wim Wenders

Regisseur / Milchmann

Jürgen Jürges

Self

G

Germán Kral

Kamera-Assistent

B

Barbara Rohm

Tonfrau

Florian Gallenberger

Ton-Assistent

M

Marianna Kawka

Josephine Skladanowky

H

Hans Moser

Direktor Baron

T

Thomas Rosié

Direktor Dorn

B

Brygida Ochaim

Mademoiselle Ancion / Tänzerin (Serpentintanz)

M

Manfred Wopalka

Auguste Lumière

J

Jürgen Schumann

Louis Lumière

Rolf Zacher

Max Skladanowsky (voice)

W

Wiebke Bayer

Tänzerin (Italienischer Bauerntanz)

L

Larissa H. Gomez

Tänzerin (Italienischer Bauerntanz)

M

Michael Krauss

Darsteller (Komisches Reck)

D

Diego Patschenko

Darsteller (Komisches Reck)

A

Angelika Kraml

Boxerin (Das boxende Känguruh)

L

Lali Kovacz

Akrobat (Akrobatisches Potpourri) / Ringer (Ringkampf)

L

Leon Jürges

Akrobat (Akrobatisches Potpourri)

L

Lena Rüssman

Akrobat (Akrobatisches Potpourri)

D

Daniele Drobny

Acrobat (Akrobatisches Potpourri)

S

Stefan Barber

Tänzer (Kamarinskaja)

G

George Inci

Tänzer (Kamarinskaja) / Ringer (Ringkampf)

M

Mehmet Ali Ceyhanli

Tänzer (Kamarinskaja)

If you liked A Trick of the Light, you might also like…

93% match

Struggle: The Life and Lost Art of Szukalski

2018

88% match

Van Gogh: Painted with Words

2010

85% match

For the Love of Spock

2016

81% match

Come See Me in the Good Light

2025

79% match

As I Was Moving Ahead Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty

2000

75% match

David Bowie: Five Years

2013

70% match

Charlie: The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin

2003

68% match

I Am Heath Ledger

2017

65% match

Being James Bond

2021

60% match

Anselm

2023

60% match

Chris Brown: Welcome to My Life

2017

60% match

Ten Minutes Older: The Trumpet

2002

60% match

Gilbert

2017

60% match

Avatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/20

2022

60% match

Maidentrip

2014

60% match

42 Up

1999

60% match

The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story

2019

60% match

Heart of a Dog

2015

60% match

Harmontown

2014

60% match

No Half Measures: Creating the Final Season of Breaking Bad

2013

Similar films

Simplement Viola: Pour l’amour de la Sagouine

2016

Van Gogh, deux mois et une éternité

2023

Marceline, the Best Clown in the World

2020

Melvin Purvis G-Man

1975

An Honest Liar

2014

The Byrd Who Flew Alone: The Triumphs and Tragedy of Gene Clark

2013

Who Do You See?

2025

Walk the Line

2005

Moby Doc

2021

55 Steps

2018

Ensemble

2010

Menstrual Man

2013