Gefangen (2004)

Dennis is a new inmate. Mike is an older black inmate. Together the two face hostile prison officals and inmates in their attempts to become a loving couple.

Director:

Jörg Andreas

Writers:

Jörg Andreas, Peter Oehl (script)

Stars:

Marcel Schlutt, Mike Sale, Ralph Steel

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marcel Schlutt	...	Dennis
Mike Sale	...	Mike
Ralph Steel	...	Lutz (as Ralf Steel)
David Parik	...	Kevin (as David Parstein)
Pedro Sobisch	...	Direktor
Ulrike Schirm	...	Mutter
Michael Busch	...	Wärter Müller
Andreas Bernhardt	...	Wärter Schmidt
Chris Holland	...	Hermann
Erik Lenn	...	Rico
Daniel Mitic	...	Ivo
Mike Power	...	Map Player #1
Mats Riem	...	Map Player #2
Marc Lindinger	...	Polizist / Wärter 2
Lorenz Michel	...	Wärter 1

Storyline

In Germany, twenty-something Dennis Tormann is serving a two-year prison sentence for credit card fraud. This term is his first ever behind bars. He is placed in one of the toughest cell blocks ruled by an inmate named Lutz, from who he tries to stay clear. Among other things, Lutz, supported by one of the guards named Muller, deals in drugs. Kevin Letarski, a young, slight inmate who is Lutz's whipping boy, befriends Dennis and tries to show him the ropes of prison life in their block. Although inexperienced with men, Dennis is attracted to Mike, a black American inmate in another cell block who is half way through his fifteen year sentence for murder. The attraction is mutual, and the two begin a relationship. Despite knowing that Muller, Lutz and his thugs do not like this relationship as it keeps Dennis out of their sight, Mike and Dennis, with Kevin's help, do whatever they can to spend time together while staying clear of Lutz's sadistic ways. Ultimately, Dennis has to decide ...

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Plot Keywords:

prison | credit card fraud | queer cinema | cigarette smoking | gay love | 

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Taglines:

Love behind bars.

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Genres:

Adult | Crime | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Germany]

Country:

Germany

Language:

German English

Release Date:

26 May 2005 (Germany)

Also Known As:

In the Hole

Filming Locations:

Berlin, Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

CAZZO Film Berlin

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min 92 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Stereo (Dolby 2.0)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to the "Cast Interviews" on the DVD, the sex in this film wasn't simulated. This is because this film was originally shot and released as a hardcore adult video (released in the U.S. as "In the Hole" through Cazzo Film).

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Connections

References Raiders of the Seven Seas (1953)

User Reviews

Interesting, but not well executed

Not really knowing anything about this movie other than the summary, I went into watching it without any expectation or prejudice. While the subject matter certainly could be interesting, the storyline and directing really left much to be desired. I even think the character played by Marcel Schlutt (who is a total hottie) has some acting potential, but that is unfortunately not exploited by the film's director. There are too many awkward moments in which nothing is happening, and the characters are quite wooden and quite lackluster. Unlike the other post here, I felt that the English translations, while at times good for colloquialisms, left a bit to be desired.

On the other hand, I did think the idea of using real sex scenes is a novel concept, and certainly made for more convincing 'acting'. I wish the reality of the sex moments could have been translated to other parts of the film (or at least make the sex scenes longer :) It certainly doesn't come across as a 'porn film' other than the quality of the (non sexual) acting at times.

I can't say I recommend this as a need to watch, but if you just can't find anything else to put in your netflix cue, it might be entertaining, at least from certain angles.