Character Relationship Map: Die Auslöschung

Characters

• Ernst Lemden (played by Klaus Maria Brandauer) — protagonist

  An art historian who shares a profound late-life romance with Judith. His life and relationship undergo a slow, relentless transformation following his Alzheimer's diagnosis.

• Judith Furmann (played by Martina Gedeck) — protagonist

  A restorer who finds unexpected happiness in a late great love with Ernst. She navigates the difficult changes in their lives as he is diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

• Katja (played by Birgit Minichmayr) — supporting
• Theo (played by Philipp Hochmair) — supporting
• Christoph (played by Andreas Kiendl) — supporting
• Bettina (played by Regina Fritsch) — supporting
• Bernd (played by Carl Achleitner) — minor
• Bäuerin (played by Gabriela Schmoll) — minor
• Karl (played by Toni Slama) — minor
• Heide (played by Isolde Pezet) — minor

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Ernst Lemden → Theo (Professional Colleague) — Professional relationship in art history field
• Ernst Lemden → Christoph (Family Son) — Ernst's son who struggles with his father's condition
• Ernst Lemden → Judith Furmann (Romantic Partner) — Late-life romance between the art historian and restorer

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Ernst Lemden → Bäuerin (Social Acquaintance) — Rural acquaintance they encounter
• Judith Furmann → Heide (Social Friend) — Friend who supports Judith
• Ernst Lemden → Karl (Social Friend) — Friend who interacts with Ernst
• Ernst Lemden → Bernd (Social Acquaintance) — Social acquaintance in their circle
• Judith Furmann → Bettina (Social Friend) — Judith's friend who offers support
• Judith Furmann → Katja (Social Friend) — Judith's friend who provides emotional support

Story Analysis

A late love is transformed by an Alzheimer's diagnosis and its slow, relentless impact on shared life.

Plot Progression

1. A Late Beginning — The story presents a restorer and an art historian who experience a late, major love. Their happiness initially appears complete.
2. The Diagnosis — The art historian is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. This revelation disrupts the couple's seemingly perfect happiness.
3. A Relentless Change — The illness slowly and continuously changes the couple's life. Their relationship must exist under the pressure of an irreversible condition.
4. Love Transformed — Alzheimer's increasingly reshapes the couple's shared existence. The drama moves toward the emotional consequences of this unavoidable progression.