A real sucker for any sort of German film (yes, even a television one), I was very pleased to encounter Wut being shown here on Irish television. Claiming to deal with themes of racism and identity within society, I happily sat back to watch.
Can is a Turkish teen living in Germany. One of two sons living with his elderly father, he is something of a mischief maker. He supplies drugs to the notably better off Felix, achieving laughs and entertainment at the expense of the upper class boy. Eventually, Felix's father learns of Can's escalating bullying of his son, and steps in to stop it.
Wut effectively portrays racial and class barriers in modern German society. The interaction between Felix and Can is fully believable, Can's sinister aura wonderfully hair-raising. Key to the film, the anti- hero is given humanity: a very powerful device which allows us to sympathise with him to a degree, giving us much to think about and forcing us to question the actions of some of the "more moral" characters we might traditionally find ourselves rooting for. The father's gradual realisation that he is all but powerless to stop the oppressive gang leader is an idea well conveyed by the emasculated performance of August Zirner. Felix's slow but steady idolisation of the powerful alpha-male who acts with far more paternal influence and masculinity than his father ever could has us biting our nails and worrying uneasily where the story will take us. Its eventual twists and turns are unforeseen, shocking, and tangibly dramatic, leading us to an interesting climax. In itself, however, the climax is somewhat lacking and flawed, though intriguing. The film achieves its intention, successfully acting as a catalyst to consideration, but not without bumps along the way.
Though marred by certain problems and not consistently gripping, Wut does encourage us to consider the message at its heart. The true appeal of the film lies in Felix's falling for the serpentine hissings of Can, fuelled by his disillusion with the world around him. Quite enjoyable as a whole, you could find far worse ways to spend time than watching Wut.
Can is a Turkish teen living in Germany. One of two sons living with his elderly father, he is something of a mischief maker. He supplies drugs to the notably better off Felix, achieving laughs and entertainment at the expense of the upper class boy. Eventually, Felix's father learns of Can's escalating bullying of his son, and steps in to stop it.
Wut effectively portrays racial and class barriers in modern German society. The interaction between Felix and Can is fully believable, Can's sinister aura wonderfully hair-raising. Key to the film, the anti- hero is given humanity: a very powerful device which allows us to sympathise with him to a degree, giving us much to think about and forcing us to question the actions of some of the "more moral" characters we might traditionally find ourselves rooting for. The father's gradual realisation that he is all but powerless to stop the oppressive gang leader is an idea well conveyed by the emasculated performance of August Zirner. Felix's slow but steady idolisation of the powerful alpha-male who acts with far more paternal influence and masculinity than his father ever could has us biting our nails and worrying uneasily where the story will take us. Its eventual twists and turns are unforeseen, shocking, and tangibly dramatic, leading us to an interesting climax. In itself, however, the climax is somewhat lacking and flawed, though intriguing. The film achieves its intention, successfully acting as a catalyst to consideration, but not without bumps along the way.
Though marred by certain problems and not consistently gripping, Wut does encourage us to consider the message at its heart. The true appeal of the film lies in Felix's falling for the serpentine hissings of Can, fuelled by his disillusion with the world around him. Quite enjoyable as a whole, you could find far worse ways to spend time than watching Wut.