For the first half hour, "Der Fleck" (Skill Issue) had me pondering whether I was about to witness a German rendition of "Ken Park," "Thirteen," or perhaps "Kids." There were subtle hints, a certain atmospheric undercurrent that suggested a similar exploration of adolescent angst and rebellion. However, as the film progressed, I found myself increasingly yearning for the raw, unfiltered energy of a Larry Clark film instead.
What we're presented with is a group of teenagers idling away their time by the lakeside. While it's true that any subject matter can be fodder for a film, the question remains: should it? What purpose does this film serve in a festival setting? How and why did the selection committee deem it worthy of inclusion?
The fact that "Der Fleck" won a Special Mention (Pardo Verde) at the 2024 Locarno Film Festival is even more perplexing. Either the other films in competition were truly abysmal (and no, I'm not saying "Der Fleck" is terrible, it's merely mediocre, and mediocrity has no place in a film festival), or the director/producer engaged in some masterful behind-the-scenes maneuvering.
I won't even delve into the pointless exercise of shooting on 16mm film only to have it digitally scanned for theatrical exhibition. The opening scene makes it abundantly clear, and yet, the same effect can now be achieved with a simple filter on a Samsung or iPhone camera. Why bother with 16mm?
These are pretentious, frivolous endeavors, devoid of any real substance or artistic merit.
