In the Fade (2017)

14th Dubai International Film Festival, 13 December 2017.

Head-On (Gegen die Wand) (2004) is my favorite film, directed by Fatih Akin. When I came to know that his film is showing in Dubai International Film Festival, I decided that am not going to miss this movie.

Nuri is a man not with a clean past. He is married to Katja Sekerci in the prison. But, after their Wedding and having a baby, he is a honest man, living for his loving family. But, a tragic incident happens. A bomb blast kills him and son, leaving Katja alone in great grief. The rest of the film deals with her struggle to find the culprit and revenge.

The film is divided into three chapters. Each one is unique and has it's own distinguished features. The film often reminds me of Krzysztof Kieslowski's Three Colors: Blue (Trois couleurs: Bleu) (1993).

Great performance from the actors especially the lead actress Diane Kruger. Direction, cinematography and all other technical side was really good.

A must watch for all film lovers. #KiduMovie

Fmovies: Good start but slow follow up Movie tends to be boring at some stage, the only good thing is the performance of Kruger

This is a solid drama about a woman who has to confront a sudden death of her close ones. There are two things that really prevent me from giving this movie anything more than 5 stars. One is the topic of the movie. If the movie was shot 7 years ago, I wouldn't even think about it, but in a current geopolitical context the subject of the movie makes you wonder. The other thing is the camera work. I almost left the cinema, it was that annoying. I don't like shaky cam as a concept, I think it destroys immersion, as we are constantly reminded there is a camera, and also is simply annoying. It's not such a big problem if the scenes being shot are dynamic and full of movement themselves, because you don't see it that much, but when you look at the scene where two people sign some papers and the camera is shaking all over the place, you can't help but notice it. There is plenty of good shots in this movie, plentu of creative ones and plenty of interesting ones, so I really cannot understand, how a director with such a good eye decided to use this cheap effect. Do not do this. It looks amateurish and takes away from the movie. That being said, all thos interesting shots... Maybe this is a problem? That the director/camera man was to creative and tried to cram as many shooting technics as possible? I realized just now that some of the shots were one off, they appeared only once not to come back in any other part of the movie and so they stand out. It would reinforce the idea, that they could not say to themselfs that's enough and just put there everything they could think about.

In the Fade fmovies. "Aus dem Nichts" is a great movie, partly based on real events.

In its core it's tearing the viewer apart between justice and misery. Great performances from Diane Krueger but also the rest of the cast create a picture that allows the viewer to feel the pain that is portrayed in this picture. Thus, a dramatic and emotional picture is created.

The movie felt very real and close to the audience, since a setting is created that we all can relate to in a certain way.

As the movie takes rather unpredictable turns it leaves the viewer behind in disbelieve that this movie is based on real events.

If you are looking for a great German movie, that is moving and irascible, you're good to go.

In The Fade is a German revenge themed thriller starring Diane Kruger and it's a just barely passable affair.

It tells the story of a woman who loses her husband and six year old son in an explosion. In a state of mourning the investigation begins, but can she trust the justice system?

I like revenge tales but lately they've been missing their mark somewhat and sadly In The Fade is no exception. To make matters worse I don't have the best history with German cinema, I just rarely find myself enjoying their works.

The performances are passable, the plot is generic but okay, the issue is that it's just not got that shock factor. Her husband and son have been blown into dog food sized chunks, why does it not feel appropriately devastating?

For this reason it lacked the required impact, the bleak slow pace did it no favors and the finale was predictable and underwhelming.

Shoulda, woulda, coulda been better.

The Good:

Strong performances

The Bad:

Lacks impact

Bleak and depressing beyond its needs

Things I Learnt From This Movie:

At least 50% of the films budget was spent on cancer sticks

After a woman's husband and son die in a bomb attack, her life collapses and she must come to terms with injustice in what is another film about xenophobia, reconciliation and ultimately European identity by German- Turkish writer/director Faith Akin. Diane Kruger delivers a powerhouse performance as she gives her character enough emotional depth without overdoing it to bring her grief and anger to life. Inspired by xenophobic murders in Germany by a neo-Nazi group, the film sets out with good premise, starts strong but then falls into familiar narrative territory before concluding with an ending that would dissatisfy some audiences. It labels itself as a political film but doesn't have a solid stab for it to deliver in what is otherwise an entertaining, sometimes intense picture.