Ins Blaue hinein...

This short film appears as a bonus on Criterion's disc of "People on Sunday". That is quite appropriate. Not just for the Schufftan connection, but also for some of the themes. This film, like "People" and "Berlin: Symphony of a Great City", seems to have the city itself as a cast member. The scenario plays just as big a role as any of the actors.

Schufftan is better known for his cinematography, not just on "People", but probably primarily for "Metropolis", where he was credited with inventing a rear projection process. Here we see he is quite capable as a director, too. Strangely, his talent did not seem to be embraced by the Americans until 1961-1962, with his work on "The Hustler". Perhaps the Oscar he received that year was something of a career award, as it was probably not his best work.