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Nachthelle (German) [Bright Night]

This was an interesting weird film. I don’t think I still completely understand what exactly happened with the whole twist, but to be honest I really don’t care. Yes, the film is confusing, yet pretty straight forward and it still keeps for an engaging viewing. It never lets you bore besides the confusion that it adds. Also I don’t think it is a gay film per say. Yes there is a gay couple and yes maybe  they try to seduce the straight guy but thats that.

40-year-old Anna brings her much younger lover, Stefan, to her childhood home. She meets her old school friend Bernd and his boyfriend Marc of 20 years. The protagonists stay in a secluded location )of this house in east Germany) for a few nights, the house serves as a pressure cooker of emotions and sexual tensions. There is open-pit mine activities going o the town that sends occasional small quakes in the region. The metaphor also is important since it is the similar quakes thats happening in Anna’s life. Marc, who is a well respected psychiatrist, enjoys stirring up shit by asking very uncomfortable questions to everyone around him. He clearly flirts with Stefan and asks Anna very uncomfortable questions about the past when Anna and Bernd used to date each other. After a while Marc’s psychological pontificating seems to lead to a physical manifestation of…well…something. The narrative goes into a circular motion allowing Anna a unique opportunity to observe things from another perspective. And this is where the film gets very confusing, leading to 2 possible endings. Now which one is the correct one?

The best thing about this film were the actors. They all shared great dynamics with each other and were all really good. Their interactions are full of possibilities and hence as a viewer, I felt always on the hook as to where the story ill lead to. Clearly there is a big connection between the past activity and the present. The weird dream sequence that Anna has sort of gets explained by the circular narrative towards the end, which itself only adds to the confusion. I wonder if more time was given to it, would it have made sense? Also, the mood of the film kept changing between psychiatric evaluation by March vs he trying to create some sexual tension with Stefan. I wish there was more of the latter. The cinematography is beautiful and the quiet old town looks magical. I felt like I should go there for a holiday.

Bit confusing and a bit creepy, it was an interesting watch but the fact that I didn’t completely grasp the concept prevents me from giving it a high rating. (6/10)

Comments

Unknown said…
You plagiarized this.....just sayin'
Puki said…
I think what Arik is saying, is that we see your work is not fully your own.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/bright-night-nachthelle-munich-review-721911
Golu said…
Guilty!! But in my defence.. I do of course read a lot of reviews before I watch a film and wont deny inspiration. Doesn't mean I would end up blatantly copying someone else's work.
But still appreciate and always open to constructive feedback.
Factatack said…
Frankly, for me, when a film is really just an hour and a half of navel-gazing (as I find Bright Night), the navels should be more appealing... not to mention occasionally visible, or even findable. When did it become fashionable for screen writers to leave the development of the screenplay up to the viewer? I can handle vague; meandering and formless are a whole other matter. Anna's issue with unstable mental health may have been interesting if it were... well... interesting. Stefan, Marc and Bernd don't even have that to offer... but they certainly love to gaze at their own navels, each others' and even occasionally Anna's presumably... apparently endlessly, and without much purpose, passion or interest. Why, exactly, we don't get to know, or particularly care. All to say (once again, for me), I found Bright Nights to be self-involved clap-trap... but not much more.
Golu said…
hahaha.. I definitely didn't get to that deep bashing but i hear you man!
Factatack said…
Apparently it hit a nerve for me! :-).
BTW.. I just discovered your blog, and am thoroughly enjoying it!
Golu said…
Thanks again. Keep following and let your friends know about it
Golu said…
True. Some pieces seem to have been randomly put together but I think a proper screenplay would have helped this film immensely.

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