What is the best thing about Christmas? If you are in a psychiatric clinic for Christmas you are better equipped to discuss what you dislike about Christmas.
Director Theresa von Eltz’s first feature film, 4 Kings, features four teenagers in a Hamburg clinic. Lara (Jella Haase) is the babbling extrovert. The other three are at differing levels of sullen and withdrawn. Alex (Paula Beer) is innately good but burdened by her mother’s problems. Timo (Jannis Niewöhner ) embodies rage and barely contained violence. Acutely shy Fedja (Moritz Leu) has been victimised by the school bullies. The unconventional psychiatrist, Dr Wolf (Clemens Schick) brings the four together to help them to live with each other and to then hopefully engage more successfully with the wider world.
This environment provides fertile ground for conflict, vulnerability and humorous moments. Watching the outrageous Lara produce her next stunt or outburst provides great enjoyment. However the darker sides of this drama give it depth and gravitas. Will Timo’s suppressed rage manifest itself physically or will he resolve his inner torments? Will the sensitive Fedja divulge what troubles him? Will the bruises and neck brace on Alex be explained and will she learn skills to manage her life?
The performances from these five main characters are all excellent. They are ably supported by Carla Becker and Anneke Kim Sarnau as clinic staff. The clinic is set in forest grounds and cinematographer Kristian Leschner makes excellent use of this evocative locale.
The full cast includes Paula Beer, Jella Haase, Jannis Niewöhner, Moritz Leu, Clemens Schick, Carla Becker, Anneke Kim Sarnau, Kai Hoppe, Nadine Hahl , Cathérine Seifert, Sebastian Rudolph, Victoria Trauttmansdorff, Christoph Bantzer, and Lale Yavaş.
This is an excellent but unorthodox Christmas movie. Christmas is not wonderful for everyone. The highly recommended 4 Kings is screening tonight at the German Film Festival.