Change Your Image
dazurael
Reviews
Grosser Bruder (2010)
a very important film!
After seeing Felix Charin's film leben lassen" at the Hofer Filmtage, I got curious and decided to watch this one, too. Like leben lassen" this film touches a very difficult subject, but one that definitely needs to be talked about.
The story is about a young man with down syndrome and his brother, who appears to be more on the right side of the political spectrum. Seeing how poorly the relationship between the two brothers is going was really touching for me, since I have a mentally challenged family member myself and know that there can be many challenges in dealing with such a situation.
But what I found the most important thing was that the film also talks about sexuality among handicapped people.
I thought that the ending came to abruptly, though. I felt a little left alone. Nonetheless a very courageous film!
Leben lassen (2011)
minimalistic but powerful
I saw this film at the 2011 Hofer Filmtage, Germany. I have been going to that film festival for some years now and it is rare that I see a young filmmaker's work that touches me as profoundly as this one did. Quiet and minimalistic, but nonetheless powerful. The film tells the story of a woman from Russia, who has to work 24/7 as a caretaker for an old former SS officer suffering from dementia or Alzheimer. I found it a very interesting perspective, seeing a man who may have killed many people during his time as an SS-officer now live an ordinary live in his small home. It really makes you think.
I liked especially how the music was being used in the film. It was almost like the music became a character of its own, telling us part of the story. Also remarkable the work of the actors, especially Natalia Bobyleva does her part brilliantly. I also think the camera did a very nice job and the lighting is very moody, very unique.
Great work.