Stambul Garden [Räuberhände] *** (2021, Emil von Schönfels, Mekyas Mulugeta, Katharina Behrens) – Classic Movie Review 12,518

Director Ilker Çatak.

Emil von Schönfels stars in director Ilker Çatak’s involving 2021 coming-of-age film Stambul Garden [Räuberhände] as German teenage boy Janik, whose friendship with his best friend Samuel (Mekyas Mulugeta) is sorely tested by a crazy, thoughtless act.

Emil von Schönfels stars in director Ilker Çatak’s involving 2021 coming-of-age film Stambul Garden [Räuberhände] as German teenage boy Janik, whose best friend Samuel (Mekyas Mulugeta) comes from a Turkish broken background and has practically been adopted by Janik’s comfortably off parents. They are currently graduating from high school and plan to go to Istanbul, where Samuel’s father is supposed to live.

Then Janik does the unthinkable in having sex with his best friend’s tragically unstable and addicted mother (Katharina Behrens), putting a wedge between the two boys, who nevertheless then decide to go ahead and embark on their long-planned backpack trip to Istanbul, (1) to save their friendship, (2) to enjoy their post-school freedom and (3) hopefully start a new life there. That’s a triple whammy of tall order and of course their troubles are just beginning. And the having sex with the mother thing is not forgotten. How could it be?

Emil von Schönfels.

There are plenty of rough edges here, which is just right for the material, but the performances of the two young actors are not rough at all. Instead, they are subtle and multi-layered, commanding attention, especially Schönfels, who manages to make his often wilful and frustrating character sympathetic and appealing. But he is growing up, coming of age, and fast, Janik’s bond with Samuel is unshakeable through thick and thin, and he is going to be saved by his bond with the other, very different boy. Why are they such good friends? We never really know. Probably they never really know. Apparently, Janik longs for chaos and Samuel longs for order. That’s all we know, and all we need to know, as the opposites attract,

The unusual story keeps its fascination throughout, with the seemingly casual and naturalistic dialogue well aimed and honed, and director Ilker Çatak keeps the film tense, taut and moving smouldering along, with plenty of atmosphere, particularly in Istanbul, to keep up a high level of interest. Though sometimes entertaining, this isn’t a fun film. It’s quite intense and perhaps rather hard work, but it is very rewarding. The soundtrack and photography add a lot of allure.

The excellent screenplay is by Gabriele Simon, based on the novel by Finn-Ole Heinrich.

The original German title Räuberhände translates as Robber’s Hands. It was released in German cinemas on September 2, 2021.

© Derek Winnert 2023 – Classic Movie Review 12,518

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