Not a Love Song (1997)

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Director:

Jan Ralske

Writer:

Jan Ralske

Stars:

Anna Thalbach, Lars Rudolph, Matthias Freihof

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Anna Thalbach	...	Luise
Lars Rudolph	...	Bruno
Matthias Freihof	...	Karl
Chajim Koenigshofen	...	Guenther
Bruno Cathomas	...	Truck Driver Pit
Cathlen Gawlich	...	Elsa
Esther Esche	...	Dagmar
Ulrich Voß	...	Dieter
Iris von Kluge	...	Susanne
Herbert Sand	...	Seminar Lecturer
Michael Freerix	...	Frank
Rainer Winkelvoss
Swantje Henke
Peter Wawerzinek
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Matthias Rott	...	Dieb

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

rural setting | post communism | unemployment | german reunification | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Details

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

16 October 1997 (Germany)

Box Office

Budget:

$150,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Deutsche Film- und Fernsehakademie Berlin (DFFB), Luna-Film, Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

User Reviews

strange but beautiful film

This is an odd German tragic comedy that screened at the Goethe House in Hanoi, Vietnam recently. Hauntingly photographed in beautiful B & W, it is the tale of a rural village in East Germany where it seems everyone wants to leave, most of all the wannabe-James-Dean male lead, Bruno (wonderful performance by Lars Rudolph). However, one hapless local entrepreneur has high-hopes for the future; but then his wife falls for Bruno which sets off a battle between romance, marketing, and responsibility.

Though uneven at the start, the film develops an increasingly intense and desolate atmosphere, almost like in a play by Beckett. The direction is often reminiscent of Fassbinder - not realistic but truthful, distilling the essence of situations in a truly creative manner. Sometimes the scenes slip into the grotesque, but this is after all a comedy.

I truly enjoyed this film. Anyone who knows the situation and history of East Germany today will also be pleased to discover that here is a film which deals with the political fallout of 1989 in a comical fashion, long before a film like "Goodbye Lenin" saw the light of day. It is also a sarcastic blast at the German national character, which as Fassbinder also showed, is not known for its warm-hearted friendliness. NOT A LOVE SONG - highly recommended!