While vacationing by the Baltic Sea, writer Leon (Thomas Schubert) and photographer Felix (Langston Uibel) are surprised by the presence of Nadja (Paula Beer), a mysterious young woman staying as a guest at Felix’s family’s holiday home. Nadja distracts Leon from finishing his latest novel and with brutal honesty, forces him to confront his caustic temperament and self-absorption. As Nadja and Leon grow closer, an encroaching forest fire threatens the group and tensions escalate when a handsome lifeguard and Leon's tight-lipped book editor also arrive.

German filmmaker Christian Petzold’s (PHOENIX, BARBARA) acclaimed latest was the winner of the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival.

"Seriousness does eventually descend on 'Afire' like the check at the end of a meal, but until then the film, the latest feature from German filmmaker Christian Petzold, is a beguilingly funny affair about getting in your own way." (New York Magazine / Vulture)

"It’s hard to blend mumblecore tropes with existential panic, but Petzold makes it work, especially in a final act rife with fleeting, surreal touches." (The Ringer)

"A summer dramedy of manners that will leave you scorched." (Globe and Mail)

"Christian Petzold’s smouldering wet, hot German summer.” (Original Cin)

"This is a masterful film." (NPR)

Thursday, August 3
Doors 6:00 pm | Movie 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

AFIRE "Roter Himmel" (Christian Petzold, 2023 / 102 mins / 14A / German with English subtitles) A group of friends in a holiday home by the Baltic Sea where emotions run high as the parched forest around them catches fire.

*Minors OK. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service.
*Rio Theatre Groupons and Rio Theatre passes are OK for any single film screening only. Please redeem at the box office.
*Online sales end an hour before showtime; unless otherwise noted, tickets are always available for purchase at the box office prior to showtime. Our box office is typically open 30 minutes before showtime. All seating is General Admission; please arrive 20-30 minutes prior to showtime to ensure great seats and time for treats. All Rio Theatre tickets are final sale.
*If you are looking to redeem either a Rio Theatre gift certificate or Groupon to any regular Rio Theatre screening: You can either email us in advance and give us a “heads up,” or do it at the box office prior to showtime. (We seat 400+ people and our regular screenings are very rarely at capacity – you should not have issues being admitted.)