Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de)
"Nordsee ist Mordsee" is a West German German-language film from 1976, so this one has its 40th anniversary this year. The writer and director is Hark Bohm, who was in his 30s back then and is in his 70s now. It was one of his earlier career works. Bohm, also a successful actor, recently returned to the spotlight for writing Faith Akin's new film "Tschick" and there are actually a couple parallels compared to this old film we have here. I am of course referring to the story of two boys struggling with their lives and running away together (being chased by cops) despite initially not being the best friends. The main character in both films has trouble with his violent father and of course one of the two boys is Asian in both movies. But now lets take a closer look at this 40-year-old film. I myself must say that I struggled with the plot a bit here. How quickly the two become friends after initially being enemies really and fighting each other very hard does not see too realistic. Yes they still talk trash on each other, but I believe nonetheless that you can call them friends.There were also not really that many memorable moments. Yes, Bohm went for a bleak realistic approach here and frequently it is working too, but as a whole I just did not find the film interesting I must say, for example not as interesting as the film I mentioned earlier. Love plays no role at all in this 40-year-old film, there are no female love interests included here. Having seen other works by Bohm I must say that I find it a bit difficult to really make a connection with his works and to appreciate them as many apparently do looking at the rating. Still, I have seen works that I like better than this one here from him. Yeah well, it is a family affair. Hark Bohm directed and wrote the script while Uwe Bohm plays the child character in the center of the story and Marquard Bohm plays this character's father. The entire family is very closely attached to film. Or maybe I should say "was" as Hark is not really that active anymore and Marquard died a decade ago. Apart from this trio, this movie here has not really any people acting in here in front of the camera that I would call known, even here in Germany. I am a big film buff and none of the faces (with the exception of Martin Semmelrogge in one scene I think) were familiar at all. The 1970s have some really great works from German filmmakers, but I would not say that this movie we have here or Hark Bohm belong anywhere near the elite of Wenders, Fassbinder or Herzog. Thumbs-down from me. I do not recommend "North Sea Is Dead Sea". The title (both German and English) is also not a good choice. Yes it rhymes, but has nothing to do with the story except taking place in North Germany, but there is no murder in here.
applepie
I saw this movie only once, about 13 years ago, but I still remember more scenes from it than I remember from any of the so-called blockbuster hits I saw recently. And this film really IS a memorable experience. It is about childhood dreams and nightmares and it shows far more than just friendship and adventure.....I loved it!
