The Edukators

So ends the first scene of Hans Weingartner's malignant reminder of current politics throughout throughout various members of "the 1st world"; the way this part is shot reminds me of the anti-Huntingdon Life Sciences people: complete with shaky Handicam®...

The story does show great promise, though never seems to quite get there, until you think long enough about the ending to realise where they've got to.1. Generally, the narrative's direction is rarely unclear: "Jan" and "Jule"'s blossoming relationship (for example) is believable yet a little contrived, but does draw "Jule"'s presence well into the plot...

Realism-wise: I was actually quite impressed; I used to know someone like "Jan", for example. The paint peeling off the walls of his & "Peter"'s flat reminds me of my own home! ;-)

"Jedes Herz ist eine revolutionare zelle!"

You do get the distinct feeling that both the male leads ("Jan" & "Peter") are attempting to get into the deeper philosophy when the female lead ("Jule") arrives proper; however, when hormones run high, then all their possibly not-so well-laid plans go by the wayside, I felt this slightly cruel twist was the point: Weingartner's view is that feelings can get in thew way of moral-purpose. Personally, I'm not sure morals would be high on the list of two semi-pro' house-breakers, it quickly becomes apparent "Jan" & "Peter" aren't your average Burglar Bills...

I digress. It's interesting that there isn't more obvious comedy in evidence, even abundance; could this tie in with now-aging English / U.K. thinking that The Germans lack a sense of humour?! Fortunately - and thankfully - there are lighter moments, specially mentioning "Jan" & "Jule"'s paint (which features on the covering sleeve to the DVD) and the same rebellious duo escaping half-naked from Hardenburg's house!

Back in correct-the-narrative land: the soundtrack is fookin ace; if anyone's stuck for what to get me for Xmas (hint hint!)... This fine example of lo-fi technoid trip-hop, "folk-rock" & post-eighties one-man-and-his-guitar ballads, with the occasional "bangin choon" (One Inch Punch and Nada Surf feature in this category). There's also - out now! - a novel based on the film.

As it is, what my local library used to call, a "foreign-language film", and the fact that I can still just about remember some German, I should mention the quality of the translation. It's actually a little sporadic, almost like they used two different re-composers or rushed the post-production at some point; as a result TV gets called "the boob tube" and the censoring is definitely intermittent. It doesn't actually detract from the film, it's mostly colloquialisms that've been left out, but the with them included the dialogue actually sounds almost Anglicised... Basically: if dodgy translation bothers you: get a bit drunk first, that usually fixes it for me. ;-D

"Manche Menschen ändern sich nie"

1 Think of "Jan"'s big plan and the background to the credits...