A young German soldier named Paul goes AWOL and returns to his childhood home in the countryside. Over a few summer days, Paul evades the responsibilities of everyday life and falls in love with his brother’s girlfriend, disrupting the lives of everyone in his circle.
Cinematography
Static long takes that make awkwardness architectural.
Acting
Burmeister's vacant charisma is the whole point.
Direction
Köhler's patient, almost cruel observational style.
Director
Ulrich Köhler
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Part of the Berlin School movement—slow cinema about post-reunification German identity and emotional paralysis.
Köhler allegedly made Burmeister do household chores on camera for hours to achieve that authentic avoidance energy.
DE
