Relationship of Tobi and Leo

It wasn't even a first love.

I was just something they both needed/wanted. Tobi needed to confirm to him that he was gay and Leo wanted it because he liked Tobi, but Leo realised that Tobi was not emotionally there, so when he looks at the other guy at the end its just signifying that it was just something that happened, important, but not ever lasting.

the guy that Leo looks as is another guy from Queerschlag who has had a crush on him (and made it obvious) throughout the movie. Leo hasn't reciprocated. I think the look exchanged between the two at the end has more to do with the other guy recognizing that he really doesn't have a chance with Leo, who is more interested in Tobi, and Leo being sort of apologetic about it, because they are friends.

that's my happy interpretation, anyway. I'm like you and was Leo and Tobi to live happily ever after. maybe they will.

I defenaitly can say everyobdy agrees Tobi and Leo should've stayed togeher. But i think if it stayed that way, then it wouln't be realistic at all (mind you that i was asking myself the same question the poster asked until reading everyone else's replies which made me realize the answer). After watching the end where Tobi walks off the bus, i thought about it and realized that they both live on other parts of Europe, so i wouldn't have worked out, although it's nice to think it could've. Basically, and everyone else who posted their thoughts nailed it, what happened between them was a fling and it kind of just needed to happen in order for everything that lead up to Tobi's acceptance of himself to happen. And Leo knew that what he did helped Tobi, but wouldn't last forever. A nice summer fling movie, but if i wrote the ending to this story there totally would be a happily ever after for them.

There is no relationship between Tobi and Leo. They just met. They have an encounter. But Tobi is too proccupied with Achim to have any feelings for Leo.

Tobi's violence towards Leo shows how unhappy he is to be as he is: every gay person has to go through this. When Achim "outs" him and throws him out of his room, Tobi realises that he can't hide, that hiding only makes things worse.

Leo, who now ought to hate Tobi, nevertheless lovingly helps him through the night of heartache, so that in the morning he can be honest with everybody, and particularly gentle towards Anke.

They then go their separate ways, having learnt much about honesty and forgiveness.

The beauty of the character, 'Leo', is not only the beauty of the lovely actor who impersonates him (and he is a total babe) but also the character's ability to pay Tobi's ingratitude with real love: a lesson for all.

I think Aulic has it pretty much right. The film shows guys dealing with their sexuality in different ways. Leo knows or suspects all along that Tobi is queer, and, while he is attracted to Tobi sexually, he acts out of compassion as much as passion. Leo (for whom this is not a first gay encounter)is presented from the beginning as taking an honest and altruistic approach to those around him.

He is the guy who pulls off his jacket to cover Ferdl. He's the one who finally cuts the crap and states that "queer" means "gay." He challenges Malte's sexual predation (which is really unacceptable even though we like Malte and feel that Schorsi deserves, and maybe even wants, it). When Schorsi runs screaming into the woods and Tobi sees Achim and Sandra making out, Hansi asks what's going on?, and Leo says "Heartache." Even when Tobi asks if being out gets easier, Leo has to be truthful, "I don't know. But if you keep hiding forever, one day you might lose yourself completely." Time and again when Tobi acts, the camera glances at Leo's face, and his expression tells us whether Tobi is moving in the right direction.

I think that Leo is smart and honest enough to understand that he and Tobi are not in love. In forgiving and comforting Tobi, he has committed an extraordinary act of love, and Tobi, in accepting it, has finally found himself. But Leo and Tobi are from different places and at different points in their respective searches. They have to go their separate ways. The exchange of looks on the dock tells us that Leo is ready to move on.

Thanks,jdburkitt, for adding to this thoughtful string of postings. I think people who found 'Sommersturm' worthwhile might also enjoy the French film "You'll Get Over It" (A Cause d'un Homme). There are some interesting parallels and contrasts (among the latter being a significant parent/sibling role in YGOI, something Sommersturm avoided). YGOI is somewhat less accessible - physically (it's not on Logo, but I paid about $25 for the dvd on Amazon and consider it well spent) and maybe emotionally. After a couple of viewings, it is right up there on my impact list.

And the most admirable thing about Sommersturm is that it was made in that way: an adult movie that moves and interests young people precisely because it is intelligent and real.

I wish a DVD were issued of "Friends Forever" ("Venner for Altid") a beautiful 1987 Danish film on a similar vein.


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If the Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard, It can also be like a chicken-pox mark.

Hi, what can i say, for sure Tobi's and Leo's relations will be only as a friendship and good memory of that nice summer camp and as a memory of beginning of new life for Tobi . If you remember when Tobi entered into the room in hostel at the morning after the storm, he was wearing Leo's training jacket - grey colour and the same jacket he was wearing during the arriving with the bus from the camp at the last moment of the movie....so what does it mean... is it again some hint or nothing special.. i took it as a hint that they parted as real friends and may be Leo left this jacket for Tobi as a memory of him....