LIFE’S NO PIECE OF CAKE is a very funny German film. It is also an insightful and moving drama that blends the tragic and the absurd. Director André Erkau deftly handles Gernot Gricksch’s wonderful script which explores how a husband and daughter try to cope after the tragic death of Babette, their wife and mother. At times the film veers towards cliché but the absurdist humour and strong performances maintain the audience’s engagement. There was well deserved spontaneous applause at the end of the screening.

The husband, Markus, is played by Wotan Wilke Möhring, who is struggling with his wife’s death and an unconventional and idiosyncratic teenage daughter, Kim (Helen Woigk). Markus’ mother, Gerlinde is wonderfully played by the droll Christine Schorn. She is ably supported by her slightly crazy carer, Paula (Rosalie Thomass) who brings genuine humour to the role.

LIFE’S NO PIECE OF CAKE is being shown in the Audi Festival of German Films, 2014, so there is limited opportunity to see this film. If you have an opportunity to see this film it is thoroughly recommended.

For more about Life’s No Piece Of Cake, visit http://goethe.de/ozfilmfest