Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de)
"Mein Freund aus Faro" or "To Faro" or "Mel & Jenny" is a German movie that is also almost exclusively in the German language. This came out back in 2008, so it will have its 10th anniversary next year and it is by far the most known work by writer and director Nana Neul. This 87-minute film scored a pretty decent deal of awards recognition back then, which made me a bit curious about it to be honest. And still my expectations weren't too high, which is why as a consequence I was pretty positively surprised. This has a lot to do with lead actress Anjorka Strechel, who does not only exactly look the part, but also gives a performance that certainly can be considered one of Germany's finest from 2008. It really is pretty shocking that apparently she did not receive any awards recognition as it all went to Neul for the film itself. Anyway, it's a good film, so I don't mind it. I am also a bit surprised that neither Strechel nor her co-lead Lucie Hollmann managed a big breakthrough in the last decade. Instead the more known names from this film today are still the supporting players like Cortez, Panzner, Prückner and Dychauk. I will admit though that I was especially positively surprised in Manuel Cortez' case as I have seen him in quite a bit of other stuff and he never stroke me as remotely talented to be honest. But maybe this role here was just perfect for him. He certainly nailed it. There are some film's weaknesses in the last half hour I guess, for example with all the drama in there not all felt authentic to be honest and some of it was also over the top, but it's not so bad that it hurts everything before that. The successful stone throw also was a bit on the unrealistic side and honestly this is a bit of a problem, even if it is just minor scenes like that one because this film goes 100% for realism and honestly Neul did a fairly good job in making an admittedly not too realistic plot (the two Miguels) still come off as pretty authentic and that's quite an achievement that one can be proud of. On a more positive note, I quite enjoyed the ending to be honest. As for the undressing scene that exposes the truth, I am not sure if I liked it. Sure it makes sense from the perspective that the central character just had to find another way as she was not able to express her identity through words, but if that was the right choice I am not sure because it is full exposure and before that she managed no exposure at all to anybody really. To end the review on a more positive note, I want to say that I liked the very ending quite a bit too because it was nice they did not include a forced super-happy ending where the two are a couple, but one that makes much more sense and feels closer to reality and is still somewhat a feel-good ending somehow I guess with the other girl asking the central character if she is gonna write her. There are so many really weak films (especially in the short film genre) that focus on homosexuality these days that lose themselves in clumsy sex scenes and unrealistic events while not managing at all to be a good character study of any kind. This one here shows these untalented filmmakers how it is to be done. I applaud everybody working on this movie, especially Neul and Strechel and I recommend checking it out.
jrschulz-1
Without destroying the story or climax let me state that this film is not one of erotica nor inappropriateness. I saw it tonight at the Annual Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival in Calgary, Canada. This a mild tragedy of a 22 year old gender confused, but totally innocent and inexperienced, F to M person leading a double life whose colleagues and family are unaware that their dear friend and sister is trans-gendered. She fakes heterosexual love affairs while doubling as a boy in love with an essentially innocent 14 year old girl (played by Lucie Hollmann). Except for a 5 second distance shot, there is no nudity and no nudity whatsoever of Ms. Hollman. The film is about dealing with taboos and discoveries and in many ways a tragic tear jerker. You actually feel for this couple who cannot continue. This film will be of interest to both straight and GLTG viewers alike. It is a love tragedy like no other but nonetheless uses classic Greek techniques. Even Nietzsche would approve.
