Sanctuary

I only live a few miles away from Freistatt, Germany, and at least regionally the movie got some attention. "Freistatt" deals with a topic that is not often dealt with in movies, chose original locations for filming and lists some very able actors (Max Riemelt, Alexander Held) in its cast.

There is no fluff or filler in this movie, no boredom coming up. But while it is a good "time piece" in the sense that it gives you a good idea what it was like in that particular time and situation, there is no plot that is strong enough to really hold the movie together.

Ultimately, I would only recommend it to those who are curious about or have any connection to those failures of the education system that existed for way too long.

What should I say...cried when Rising Sun came out. Wolfgang's dreams, his family, friends, and his normal life were gone. Freistatt is like a smelter, melting the stubbornness and persistence, till the end only desperation survives...Fortunately they escaped from it finally, burying this memory with their past identities. New life would come, I just hope......

Just beginning my weekend with a German movie about a boy with an Oedipus Complex getting abused and tortured at a reform school. I like to start things off light with true stories like this and work my up to the darker stuff. The Germans have some mighty fine actors cuz I was really wanting to see some of these characters six feet under. The main kid was played by Louis Hoffman who was like 16 or 17 and delivers a powerhouse performance. I was seriously impressed. I saw him previously in that Netflix series Dark and a gay coming of age movie called Center of My World and he's definitely a brave actor and one to watch.

It baffles me how such people can exist: one reviewer said that the events could not happen because such an establishment would be closed in two weeks' time. Well, this one doesn't know a lot of history. And is such a self-entitled spoiled brat that he did not bother to check the facts. Because his beliefs are above facts. Way to go, little one! Soldier on through life with your little beliefs, until life will smack you so hard that you will have to humble down to reality.

I sincerely regret that IMDb, upon being bought by Amazon, ditched all dialogue between users (it was a calculated move, since it became the main bastion of liberalism and wokeness in movie culture, ready to accept false votes and reviews only to further the liberal agenda). I would have told him a lot more.

But, since this is not a review of the reviewers, back to the movie: this is raw power. It hits you like a sledge-hammer. During the movie I wanted to cry. And I was ashamed of being in the same species that did such unspeakable acts to their own. I am still in shock. This is a must-see.

Louis Hofmann was superb as usual. He was 17-18 at the time of making the movie! He is a titan among actors (of course, another reviewer - the only one ever - had the audacity to challenge his talent).

Check out Wolfgang Petersen's 1977 film "The Consequence" (currently free at Amazon) which tells a very similar story of how parents could commit their "incorrigible" teens to these brutal institutional schools.

And if you make it to the end of "Sanctuary," you'll see that the German government has admitted these things were happening, and has paid restitution to some of the victims.

I am learning that foreign films can be awesome. The subject is disturbing yet I couldn't stop watching.