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joachim-hoeppener
Reviews
Die fetten Jahre sind vorbei (2004)
So naive it hurts
I was really ashamed of being German when I saw this movie (which got so many awards). The characters are so ridiculous that I first thought it was a comedy. Unti the very end I was expecting a major twist in the story because I could not imagine that a such highly decorated film has such shallow characters and such a lame and predictable story. For me this movie could not be recommended to adults because of the childishness of the characters and not to kids because of the dubious political message. That is something like socialism in Disneyland. The story is full of clichés , e.g. the scene in the restaurant with the snobbish guests. All rich people are evil and the poor ones are nice, idealistic and want to become teachers. Absurd and simply wrong is the way Jule got to her outstanding debt by crashing the rich mans' car without being covered by insurance. You simply cannot incur debts that high as a private person because there is a law in Germany against that to protect people from ruining themselves in the long run ("Privatinsolvenzrecht"). Therefore the whole "argumentation" and plot is impossible. The only good thing about that crap (pardon my French) is the shooting of the Alp scenery.
Schwabenkinder (2003)
Life in rural Germany around 1900
This is one of the most impressing films about rural live in Germany / Austria around 1900. I have to correct the other users' comment, the practice of sending children away from distant alp valleys to work in Schwaben was abandoned already 100 years ago (not 50). To the movie: Especially the children actors were excellent. The only drawback is that the movie leaves the spectator with a couple of loose ends. What happened to Magdalenas baby? How did Kaspar know that his father was dying? What happened to the fugitive (farm laborer)? How did the story end for the other Schwabenkinder?
There could (should) have been at least two sequels! This movie clearly shows that you do not need special effects or Hollywood stars for a splendid movie. Just a good story and good actors in a realistic atmosphere.