MovieChat Forums > Atmen (2012) Discussion > Great film!!!!! Highly recommend it for...

Great film!!!!! Highly recommend it for European film lovers.

posted 12 years ago by cornelia123
6 replies | jump to latest

This is one of my favourite films of the year.

I was very impressed with this german language film. Beautiful acting by all, especially the young lead actor, good plot, intelligent treatment of the root and consequences of disenfranchised youth, all done in a subtle and intelligent way. Good use of methaphors, symbolism etc. Audience treated with respect, not spoon-fed or assumed too stupid to 'get' it. It is a moving film, yet it is positive: a film that believes in redemption and healing.

The title, 'Breathing' is a metaphor for life and death, not only physical, but also in the psychological and social context. The title is also a key point to the psychological reason the protagonist ends up in a youth detention centre, why he acted the way he did.

It's not a fast film, it is nice and slow and I would love to see it again before they take it off the theatre.

Well done to the first-time director!!

[–] asif-16 12 years ago

Hi,
I just saw this last night and thought it was great: moving, thoughtful and beautifully shot. Do you think those dead bodies were real cadavers?

[–] cornelia123 12 years ago

I doubt it! The scene with the elderly dead lady was so moving, wasn't it. I just wish I could see films like this everyday.

[–] onuvac 12 years ago

Me too. These days there are films that aren't original or are just too cheesy. This film should have been nominated for an Academy Award. I totally dramas and films with interesting themes. If it didn't get nominated for an academy award, could it at least be nominated for a golden globe.

[–] PoppyTransfusion 12 years ago

Nice OP. I loved this and I'm not sure why even though it was beautifully acted and a well crafted story. I thought the main character Roman was quite fascinating as he seemed impenetrable at first and then as he interacts with people outside the juvenile centre he starts to reveal himself.

It's a very good film from a first time director and he (Markovics) was interesting to listen to in the short interview that was an extra on the dvd. The film began for him with the body of the elderly woman on the floor. Fascinating.

This film reminded me in content and types of character of the Dardennes brothers' (Jean-Pierre and Luc) films if anyone is interested.

Why problem make? When you no problem have, you don't want to make ...

[–] benman46 11 years ago

The Dardennes brothers are a definite influence on the film, most notably The Son. The director has absorbed the Dardennes' intensely naturalistic style, along with their obsessive eye for the details of menial labour, particularly in the scene where the woman is washed and dressed. Kudos to Thomas Schubert as Roman who was a non-professional actor and is in almost every scene.

[–] PoppyTransfusion 11 years ago

the Dardennes' intensely naturalistic style, along with their obsessive eye for the details of menial labour, particularly in the scene where the woman is washed and dressed

Yes! Also the use of choreographed movement in both films. The swimming in Breathing as well as how the bodies are placed into coffins compared with the main character's movement around his flat and the focus on how to life a plank of wood up and down a ladder in The Son.

Both films show the outcome of a similar event. Breathing from the perpetrator's side; The Son from the victim's father's perspective.

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