Close to the Horizon
A radiant romantic drama where the golden glow of first love meets the stark shadows of an incurable secret, tracing a boundary between hope and the inevitable twilight of the soul.
Close to the Horizon
Close to the Horizon

Dem Horizont so nah

10 October 2019 Germany 117 min ⭐ 7.8 (499)
Director: Tim Trachte
Cast: Luna Wedler, Jannik Schümann, Luise Befort, Victoria Mayer, Stephan Kampwirth
Drama Romance
Love vs. Fate The Stigma of HIV/AIDS Childhood Trauma and Abuse Self-Determination and Sacrifice

Close to the Horizon - Symbolism & Philosophy

Symbols & Motifs

The Horizon

Meaning:

Symbolizes the end of life and the transition to a state of peace. It represents a goal that is always visible but unreachable in the physical world until the very end.

Context:

Reflected in the title and the final trip to the coast, where the sky meets the sea, marking Danny's final journey.

The Oldtimer (Dodge Challenger)

Meaning:

A symbol of freedom, masculinity, and the facade of perfection. It masks Danny's physical fragility with a powerful, classic engine.

Context:

Danny uses the car to drive Jessica, creating a bubble of nostalgic romance that initially keeps the harsh reality of his illness at bay.

The Bicycle Accident

Meaning:

Symbolizes the danger of the invisible and the risk of infection. It serves as the first cracks in Danny's facade.

Context:

When they crash their bikes, Danny panics not because of the pain, but because of the potential transmission of his blood to Jessica, exposing his secret fear.

Philosophical Questions

Is a short, intense life more valuable than a long, safe one?

The film suggests that the 'intensity' of Jessica and Danny's bond outshines the 'safety' of Jessica's planned future, posing the idea that quality of experience transcends quantity of time.

To what extent are we defined by the traumas of our past?

Through Danny's character, the film explores whether one can ever truly 'move past' a fundamental violation of trust, or if one simply learns to live alongside the shadow it casts.

Core Meaning

The film explores the transformative power of unconditional love in the face of insurmountable tragedy. Director Tim Trachte emphasizes that life is not defined by its duration, but by the depth of human connection. It serves as a tribute to resilience and the courage to choose emotional truth over safety, even when the outcome is guaranteed to be painful. The narrative suggests that 'the horizon' is not a limit, but a destination of peace where suffering finally ends.