Der Bunker

Considering the high rating Der Bunker got on here I was expecting much more from this movie. It started all right, mysterious is the first thing that popped into my mind, but soon enough you realize this is just going to be another weird movie going nowhere. It's not that I don't like bizarre stories but I have to be in the right mindset for it and it has to be a bit interesting as well. Unfortunately I wasn't and interesting wouldn't be a good word to discribe this story. The camera work wasn't bad, the acting was okay, even though Oona von Maydell wasn't always convincing, like when she was crying for instance which looked very forced and fake. As for the comedy well I'm still waiting for it. I read another reviewer couldn't stop laughing and that hours after the movie finished. I'm still wondering what he was laughing with or at? It's anything but hilarious. You just have to adore weird movies to be entertained by this one. Even though I was intrigued in the beginning, that feeling quickly changed into boredom. I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone.

I just finished Der Bunker and I'm still laughing about it a few hours later. It's F'd up and funny as hell. Great performances and direction all round. And definitely one I'll go back to.

Kudos.

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THE BUNKER is a weird little German film for those who enjoy offbeat or obscure cinema like TAXIDERMIA or the films of Jan Svankmajer. It doesn't really have much of a plot or narrative arc, instead it's a slice of very-weird-life set in a rather bizarre family home. The protagonist is your usual young, upstanding teacher who takes on a home schooling job for a couple's son. Most of the time he's in the cellar, teaching the kid geography and the like, but after a time he gets drawn into the family's weird ways.

I'm not really sure how to describe THE BUNKER, other than to say it's not particularly enjoyable. Some parts reminded me of the films of Werner Herzog but lacking the artistry and the subtext. Pit Bukowski is weird as the grown up kid, but weird in a good way and I did warm to him a little as the story went on. He comes across as a mix of Kaspar Hauser and Peter Bark in BURIAL GROUND! The other characters aren't as memorable, but there's a smattering of sex and violence to keep viewers engaged. As I said, it didn't work out too well for me.

I'm not entirely positive what I just watched, but I know I enjoyed it? I think? I am not a stranger to an artsy film filled with hidden meaning, subtext and symbolism. However, I was definitely confused on the overall message of this piece... While still picking up on smaller themes and points, it felt like there was a broader intention that I was missing. Or maybe not, maybe it was just an absurdist piece and I'm reading too far into it.

One thing I will say that I particularly enjoyed was the broad range of emotions I felt throughout watching this. One moment you're confused, the next moment youre endeared, next you're grossed out and then all of a sudden you're spooked. Its very funny and very f'ked up. I appreciated that aspect.

This movie looked great, I loved the costumes and sets and the storyline was interesting. Having grown up on "Clifford" with Martin Short, I was immediately drawn to an adult dressing up as a child (this movie is nothing like Clifford other than in that aspect haha) Just coming from a standpoint of a cohesive storyline, I wish they had delved deeper into one of the plot points more, just to give some semblance of a clearer point or focus. Whether it was the odd child who's age was never explained, the parents strange proclivities, the supernatural aspect or the students background and studies.

While it is hard to truly and accurately judge the acting as an English speaker, I thought it was phenomenal on all fronts. Each actor had shining moments, particularly the student and the son and I thought the four of them worked splendidly as an ensemble.

This is one of the longer reviews I have left so this movie obviously made me think/feel something. Which, what more can we ask for? Would recommend, but it's not for everyone... it is undoubtedly polarizing.

I'm really quite shocked that no one besides myself has taken the trouble to spend a few minutes ranting about this wonderfully dark and weird comedy. If you are reading this review then I highly recommend you track down and watch this gem.

This film was on television a couple of days ago and being a German film about a bunker I had foregone the conclusion that this would certainly be something to do with the war- not even close. I was further enticed by the mention in the description of perversity because it was late at night and I'm a guy that had no plans that particular evening.

All that aside, there was no perversity. There were one or two comical sexual scenes but this film is a brilliantly awkward comedy based around the strange characters that make up this secluded family, the student who comes to stay with them and the mysterious "Heinrich", who I shall offer no further description of lest it somehow depreciate his mystery.

I cannot claim to have seem many funny German films, I'm sure they must exist but I can't think of any other ones that have made it as far as for me to find on English television. Usually anything in German on English television will in some way reference the war, something that this doesn't. So in that context it's special.

I almost missed this film, but I was unable to find it to download anywhere so stayed up and watched it and am very thankful I did. I'm not sure why it isn't more widely known because it's really great and stayed with me for quite some time. I think I saw it about a week or two ago and it keeps popping back into my mind. Anyway, enjoy it if you can find it.