Die Helden aus der Nachbarschaft

Die Helden aus der Nachbarschaft ('Heroes from the neighbourhood') (GER 2008) by Jovan Arsenic. A good friend of mine played the lead role in this movie so you have to mistrust my judgement. Jovan Arsenic takes the imagery and plot ideas of contemporary soap operas and puts them to the test in this movie. He is not using the usual soap opera methods to solve the plots and dramas in this little story centered around several characters in Berlin's district Prenzlauer Berg who are living in the same block. Instead he is following up the plots as they would go on in real life. Consequently the narration oscillates between impressions documentary and soap would usually induce which is supported by a good cast acting intentionally insecure at times as if they weren't good players. This triggers strange humour and sad moments as well. Nice camera, good performances and interesting direction between everyday German television and experimental documentary.