Falscher Bekenner (2005)

Director:

Christoph Hochhäusler

Writer:

Christoph Hochhäusler (writer)

Release Date:

6 April 2006 (Germany)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

The story of a young man confessing crimes he has not committed.

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Constantin von Jascheroff	...	Armin Steeb
Manfred Zapatka	...	Martin Steeb
Victoria Trauttmansdorff	...	Marianne Steeb
Nora von Waldstätten	...	Katja Fichtner
Devid Striesow	...	Martin Steeb jr.
Florian Panzner	...	Stefan Steeb
Thomas Dannemann	...	Herr Kleine
Laura Tonke	...	Christiane Steeb
Dennis Prinz	...	Ulrich Wendt
Martin Kiefer	...	Richard Gassner
Walter Gontermann	...	Herr Hülsmann
Jörg Pose	...	Herr Esken
Thomas Meinhardt	...	Ernst Matuschek
Wieslawa Wesolowska	...	Josy Matuscheck
Max Limper	...	Lederboy

Also Known As:

I Am Guilty (USA) (DVD title)
Low Profile (USA) (festival title)

Runtime:

Germany:90 min | Germany:94 min (Max-Ophüls-Festival)

Country:

Germany | Denmark

Language:

German

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Brazil:18 (Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival) | Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Krefeld, North Rhine - Westphalia, Germany

Company:

Filmstiftung Nordrhein-Westfalen

Trivia:

Of the film, the director has said, "The cloak of intent - however ridiculous - is lighter to bear than the 'meaningless' unhappiness of the world."

Movie Connections:

References Star Wars (1977)

Directionless College Grad Commits Acts of Rebellion Or Does He?

This film is disturbing because you are not clear what actually happened and what was imagined. If some of the events did occur, then the film is a disturbing commentary about some young people in today's society. This film is not a typical Hollywood style film because the film moves at a slower pace, the plot is not clearly defined and the ending does not resolve the film. But there are some darkly comic moments and there is good acting.

Armin Steeb comes from a nice middle class family and lives in a nice middle class neighborhood. Armin is fresh out of college and applying for jobs, but he appears bored and aimless. His parents have high hopes and expectations for him but maybe that is part of his problem?? His parents and society have these expectations of Armin, but maybe he is unsure how to be what is expected of him. Perhaps he does not want the life that his parents or society believes he should want. The usual routine is get into a good college, get a good job, find a life partner, have a family of your own, and the cycle repeats. His older brother has fulfilled the expectations of his parents; therefore, they are worried about Armin's lack of direction. Armin appears to want excitement and notoriety, perhaps this is why he confesses to a crime that he did not commit.

Haven't you met people or heard about people who supposedly came from nice middle class families, who went to college but later were a disappointment to their families? In every family, there are the usual success stories but there is always that one in the family who everybody wonders what happened with them? This is why I did like the film in spite of it's weak points because it shows a period in a young person's life that we have all experienced at some point. At some point you have to leave college and your parents home to decide who you are and what you want. Perhaps Armin feels ill prepared to face his life.