Refuge

A powerful story of cruelty that takes place in a type of privately run and religion based 'borstal'. These places existed in Germany in the 1960's where 'difficult' kids were sent and their placements were paid for by their middle-class parents - no crime necessary. The bullying, violence and lack of accountability became a national scandal. Superb acting by everyone.

This film is a fast-paced emotional roller-coaster that will tear you heart apart with it's brutality. This is not one of those "sit back and relax" films that makes you drop a tear at the end. This one is emotionally challenging, uncomfortable and difficult to watch and will leave you overwhelmed and speechless, but still will make you watch it until the end by showing you that there is still a glimpse of hope. This film is certainly not for everyone, although you should at least try watching it.

I discovered this gem on Arte channel yesterday. Well, this is not SCUM, nor LES HAUTS MURS either but that remains a powerful indictment against boarding school, jailhouses for teens and showing how awful bullying behaviors can drive anyone to the worst extremities. You have already seen this kind of features before but that doesn't prevent you to appreciate this terrific authentic piece of work. Not for all audiences.

It baffles me how such people can exist: one reviewer said that the events could not happen because such an establishment would be closed in two weeks' time. Well, this one doesn't know a lot of history. And is such a self-entitled spoiled brat that he did not bother to check the facts. Because his beliefs are above facts. Way to go, little one! Soldier on through life with your little beliefs, until life will smack you so hard that you will have to humble down to reality.

I sincerely regret that IMDb, upon being bought by Amazon, ditched all dialogue between users (it was a calculated move, since it became the main bastion of liberalism and wokeness in movie culture, ready to accept false votes and reviews only to further the liberal agenda). I would have told him a lot more.

But, since this is not a review of the reviewers, back to the movie: this is raw power. It hits you like a sledge-hammer. During the movie I wanted to cry. And I was ashamed of being in the same species that did such unspeakable acts to their own. I am still in shock. This is a must-see.

Louis Hofmann was superb as usual. He was 17-18 at the time of making the movie! He is a titan among actors (of course, another reviewer - the only one ever - had the audacity to challenge his talent).

I only live a few miles away from Freistatt, Germany, and at least regionally the movie got some attention. "Freistatt" deals with a topic that is not often dealt with in movies, chose original locations for filming and lists some very able actors (Max Riemelt, Alexander Held) in its cast.

There is no fluff or filler in this movie, no boredom coming up. But while it is a good "time piece" in the sense that it gives you a good idea what it was like in that particular time and situation, there is no plot that is strong enough to really hold the movie together.

Ultimately, I would only recommend it to those who are curious about or have any connection to those failures of the education system that existed for way too long.