filmforever_42 Reviews

Symphony of Now (2018)

A modern classic.

[10/10 · 8 August 2018]

Saw this film at a screening in Berlin and was overwhelmed! I was raised here and been living here ever-since, and of course, I'm aware that Symphony of Now is not showing ALL facets of Berlin (which would be impossible for any film anyway). This intimate, very personal perspective on Berlin really got me hooked. Unlike the 1927 silent film classic 'Berlin-Symphony of a Great City', to which Symphony of Now is referencing, the filmmakers focus less on the city as an urban body itself, but more on the humans of Berlin. This seems to open up a new realm of questions about the pleasures, and also the struggles of modern urban life, which seems relevant also to people's situations in many other cities around the world: the tensions and often dilemmas, to name a few, between culture and escapism, neatness and ruggedness, old and young/new, past, present and future, vivid social life and solitude, responsibility and laissez-faire.... The soundtrack is fantastic, too - a timeless piece! I can imagine very well that the perception of Symphony of Now will also change with time, and that makes it even more interesting: The film depicts a part of life Berlin 'in the now', but that particular atmosphere might be gone in 10 years. So watching the film then might feel like looking into a time capsule. Time will tell if once Symphony of Now will become a classic like 'Berlin-Symphony of a Great City' - which, by the way, was slammed by critics and the audience back then, and became a classic as time passed.

All of a Sudden (2016)

a great experience, finally a fantastic German film, sleeper hit!

[10/10 · 3 May 2017]

I saw the film at the Berlin Film Festival and I haven't forgotten it since then. I don't want to give spoilers so in my review I am focusing on my experience and artistic details: First of all, the main actor Sebastian Hülk is a huge discovery. He is known from his smaller roles in films such as The White Ribbon (2009) and Inglourious Basterds (2009), and in this film he is playing the lead for the first time in his career. And it is incredible how - in a subtle style of acting - he achieves that the audience can follow him emotionally from one side to the other: from 'good' to 'evil', from 'insecure' to 'secure' etc. Each scene seems to open a new perspective on the mysterious, sexy and thrilling story about social ties, fears, danger and the spiritual abyss that lurks under a bourgeois surface. Director Asli Özge, who is a Turkish female, living in Berlin Germany since quite a while, has delivered her 3rd film, for the 1st time in German language though. All Of A Sudden is a surprisingly great achievement in filmmaking, feeling authentic with every breath, yet very cinematic with rich imagery and a tight narration, that is tackling many layers, and never losing its grip. I also would like to mention the beautiful cinematography and finely tuned sound design - which both is truly outstanding. Auf Einmal (All Of A Sudden) is a fantastic surprise coming from Germany, but telling a story that is entertaining and relevant also for an international audience. I saw press reviews were great, not only in Germany but also internationally, and I cannot wish more than a huge audience for this sleeper hit.