Ludwig Trepte stars as Anton, a teenager who travels to a remote seaside village with his mother, and her new boyfriend. We find out later that his father committed suicide, though it is never explained why. In fact, very little is explained in this dreamlike and haunting film. Anton soon meets a very mysterious brother and sister, who are involved in an incestuous relationship. The three teens form a tenuous bond with each other, but the brother and sister sometimes seem to only want Anton around to manipulate and control him. Katja is a bit more sensitive, but David is an obvious sociopath with violent tendencies. And that is the setup for a film that is as quiet and slow moving as a summer holiday by the sea. The film has a similar style/feel to the films of French director Bruno Dumont; slow, languid tales of young people whose isolated surroundings seem to remove them from reality. The cinematography is absolutely beautiful, and Ludwig Trepte's performance is intense and believable. He is one of the most important young actors working in Germany these days. In fact he is the reason I sought this film out. Recommended for those with a taste for something other than Hollywood fare. and don't expect this tale to wrap up neatly either. In fact, "What You Don't See" features one of the most strange, and cryptic endings I have ever seen in a film.
Review of Was du nicht siehst
