Tough Love

AGermanpimpwithapenchantforviolence.Theprostitutewithaheartofgoldwholoveshim.Thedementedmotherwhoruinedhim.Lotsofdepressingsexscenessetindrearyworking-classapartments.<br/>　　IftheseseemlikethekeyingredientstoaRainerWernerFassbindermovie,they’reinfactpartofatruestorythatmakesupthelatestdocudramafromprolificBerlin-basedfilmmaker/gayactivistRosavonPraunheim(RentBoys,Neurosia:50YearsofPerversity).BasedontheharrowinglifeofAndreasMarquardt,avictimofsexualabusewhogrewintoakaratechamp,prosperoushustler,federalprisonerandeventually,martialartsinstructorandauthor,thefilmjumpsbetweenpresent-dayinterviewsandkitschyflashbacksshotinblack-and-white,revealingamanwhoovercametraumathroughthepoweroftherapyandhisowntwofists.ScreeninginBerlin’sPanoramasection–wherevonPraunheim’smovies(over70inall)haveoftenpremiered–Loveshouldplaywellwiththefilmmaker’slocalfanbaseandminorcultfollowingabroad,withcontinuedgigsontheinternationalfestcircuit.<br/>　　AdaptedbythedirectorandwritersNicoWocheandJurgenLemefromMarquardt’s2006autobiography,thefilmbeginswithitssubjectspeakingcandidlyabouthispast,beforejumpingintodramatizedrecreationswhereyoungAndreas,akaAndy(HannoKoffler),israisedbyasinglemother(KatyKarrenbauer)afterhisabusivefatheriskickedoutofthehouseforcrushinghis6-year-oldson’shand.<br/>　　Butratherthanfindingsolaceinthearmsofmutter,Andylandsbetweenthelegsofaperverteddarestfamilymemberwhoforceshimintoalong-termincestuousrelationship–onewhichvonPraunheimhardlyshiesawayfrom,capturingsexualactsfromtheyoungboy’sPOVashestripsdownforhim,playswithhisgenitalsor,inoneratherunbearablesequence,casuallylubricatesanoversizeddildolikespreadingicingonatrayofcupcakes!<br/>　　ItwasscreenedinthePanoramasectionofthe65thBerlinInternationalFilmFestivalwhereitwonthe3rdplaceprizeinthePanoromaAudienceAward.