This movie is certainly not a pleasant watch, it makes you feel increasingly uncomfortable as we see how main character Ewald lives out his regression fantasies with a bunch of little boys. As in a Greek tragedy it's clear that he is unavoidably bringing about his downfall and that this cannot end well. In that respect the actual conclusion of the movie is surprisingly mild: we're back to square one, with the same sense of an unfulfilled, lonely life and a hopeless yearning for human warmth and the carefree life of children.
Director Ulrich Seidl (of such other controversial films as Paradise Hope and Rimini) tells his tale from three parallel perspectives: the relation between Ewald and his old demented father (we for instance see how Ewald clings himself to his father in the bed in the rest home); Ewald gathering the young kids around him and acting as their playmate as well as as a caring father figure; and the relation between some of the boys with their own bullying and violent father.
But the main uneasiness comes of course from the fact itself that this 40-something grown man surrounds himself with little boys, plays physical games with them, often in flimsy briefs or swimwear, photographs and films them, and regularly tentatively caresses them. Although we never see him cross the line to actual sexual acts, it's almost impossible not to suppose some erotical motivation (like when he showers naked in front of the children). In this way the movie raises the well known question with possible pedophile behavior: can a hard line be defined between what is still acceptable and innocent, versus where it turns to be abuse and criminal? Without judging, it seems clear that Ewald only means well, and the boys seem to like him and have fun being around him. Is he a bad person? Or just extremely naive?
Anyway, a fascinating and sincere movie with an important topic, very well made, not easy to watch, but with much to think about, which of course is not a bad thing at all.
