Review by viking168

This is a film that raises far above most of the more or less 'overloaded' and quasi-spectacular films that 'occupies' the cinemas these days. From the very first shot this film take a firm grip on you, and you feel immediately that "you are in good hands", to quote Woody Allen. Even if the films theme is universal and quite often filmed, its timeless figure gets a deeper and more powerful shape in the context it's narrated. The actors are excellent, and the main character; Hedi, is brilliant and won the 'Silver bear' for best leading actor in Berlin recently.

In the beginning you might think 'whats wrong with him?' though he seems to be blocked or like a 'broken bulb'. But soon you understand why. 'Who am I, and what kind of life do I want to live?' Nobody, and especially not Hedis closest relatives, seems to be interested in what kind of answer he will come up with. 'Everything is fixed', 'the painting is already completed', or at least the most important parts of it... The excellent director and photographer reveals the kind of 'prison' Hedi is captured in- or entering freely - with many 'closeups' and you only rarely are 'released' by a blue sky or a sea. It may sound banal but it's not. It's not an easy thing to do, 'walking your way', neglecting all the expectations that others 'will lay on your shoulders'. Sometimes or at some places the obstacles, the stakes are higher...