The lives of two men in Berlin, whom both are outsiders to a normie society, become intertwined. One of them grew up in the DDR, the other has become increasingly aware that the Western socio-economic sytem he lives in, is not operated much differently than the previously communist East Germany. The two men feel sexually attracted to each other, and seem to inspire one and other to dig deeper into parts of their lives and minds and hearts that they may seem to have neglected over time.
It is suggested that 2019 Germany has deteriorated into an Orwellian society. This film was funded completely independently from government or corporate subsidies, so the subject matter is spoken of with no censorship. When later it is suggested that the 1984 climate may be attributed to paranoia, I feel a little defrauded. Nevertheless, it remains sufficiently ambiguous for me to not give up on the film. At the heart of the narrative runs the tender love story The awakening to a conspiracy "reality" and how to deal with that, is the other driving force.
Both actors play warm affable idiosyncratic characters. The interiors of the characters' homes in this film are analogous to their personalities and helps visualising these tidily and in an aesthetically pleasing manner. The few scenes in the streets, shops, metro and bars of Berlin also add to a broader visual experience of the location in the world where it takes place.
The middle age of the characters also steers themes of nostalgia, history (revision), and seeking out a special intimacy "after" living the urban bachelor's gay grind.
This is definitely one of the better (gay) films to come out of Germany in the last few years; for its poltically dissenting angle; for the particular love story told, and for its excellent cinematography.
