User Reviews

"Valerie" is a German German-language film from 2006, so this one had its 10th anniversary last year. The director is Birgit Möller and she is also one of many writers working on this one. Möller is a prolific cinematographer and this film here is her only work as the woman in charge behind the camera and of the script. or I should maybe say "only full feature work". At 80 minutes only (and this includes credits already), it is a pretty short movie, but that's not a problem at all as it is a nicely focused and essential little piece. I would not say that it is an actors' movie, even if everybody in the cast including lead actress Agata Buzek and the two "big" names Striesow and Ünel does a fine job.The heart and soul is the plot thought and the story of a young woman struggling with her profession and she may turn into a homeless person as a consequence. This shows us pretty much that people without shelter can be found in every profession really and in every line of work. And for women, it is especially depressing as they are frequently reduced to their physicality as a consequence and they may end up doing things they don't want to, even if the (alleged) prostitution scene is handled by Möller very tastefully. This also shows that this is not a movie that wants to shock people and tries desperately to do so. Instead it feels like an authentic character study from start to finish and I never had the feeling I was watching actors. Of course I am not really knowledgeable enough to say if it is really accurate that she is not getting any modeling jobs, especially with her looks, but this is also not what the film is about. It is all the consequences that arise from it and also maybe about the (big) fractured ego of the protagonist. I enjoyed the watch overall. This is certainly a film that is underseen and one of the better German movies (maybe even best) from 2006 for sure. See it if you can.

In Australia "Valerie" is playing Apr 2007 as part of the 2007 German Film Festival. A synopsis of this film and the others playing can be found at http://www.goethe.de/ins/au/lp/prj/ff07/flm/fl1/enindex.htm Who could resist the opening line in the festival booklet promo "What would you do if everything you took for granted was taken away". That was enough for me to book and like all this years GFF films so far, each journey and session has been a richly rewarding experience.

Plus the bonus last night of having the films director (and one of 5 collaborators of the screenplay) Brigit Moeller at the screening and for a question and answer time afterwards This is an impressive film in content and construction. There is nothing low budget about it's look. I loved all the steely blues and greys. Berlin is an attractive city. I often wonder if American film producers have no pride in their country when so many movies from there are grainy and the locations, props, houses and costumes are so shabby.

Here Berlin is smart, Agata Burek is perfect as Valerie, a late 20s, very early 30's model in Berlin right on Christmas when suddenly her credit card stops working and the bank has cut off her credit.

** SPOILERS AHEAD ** She's booked into a 5 star hotel, her car is in the basement car park. But she does not have any cash and no way of even getting the car out of the car park. Yes I was wondering if the film would spiral downwards as her situation worsened but that was not the case. Sure there were times when some of us might have done differently to her. Perhaps stayed on for Christmas lunch with the photographer and his girlfriend? Perhaps helped clean up her friends house after the party and earnt half the money? Even the car she drove(a 1990s XJ40 Jag sedan that had perhaps seen better days) was perfectly cast. Birgit the director did not put one foot wrong here.

It was interesting last night in her after film talk to mention that she had stopped the film short (one viewer asked a question on this). Would Valerie go back to Andre? As Birgit said she liked to leave it open ended. Perhaps romantically minded people would think so? She also touched briefly on how she read an article that prompted this movie. Something about a model reaching their use by date. I guess the same could equally apply to other professions where looks and youth are the currency.. working girls for example. Agata was perfect.. childlike in some situations (as the €300 euro working girl "what is the price"). And while she never lost her pride it was fairly poignant when sitting at a cafe/restaurant at breakfast and the guy on the next door table gets and leaved. She quickly moves over and starts to pick over and wolf down his remaining food. Much like a dog would do. It was also interesting to hear above some of the other members of the cast. The actor who played the photographer is very well known in Germany apparently. As isDavid Striesow who played Andre. "Quite big in art-house films but not quite a TV star yet". Digressing his ex wife and child in the film were also gorgeous.

Birgit mentioned that this film was made in Jan over 26 shooting days. I'm thinking either Jan 2006 or 2007. After the screening last night she is hopping on a plane back to Germany today for the German premiere Thu Apr 26 2007. She also mentioned that she came from a cinematographic background and had spent some time in jobs like a focus puller. She got people involved in the film with similar strengths to herself. It's beautifully shot and the location, continuity and cast are first class.

First film or 20th film, this is a very impressive film. At 80 mins it felt longer than this. But for us it was quite a journey to the cinema and perhaps the free glass of sauvigon blanc pre the movie cut in. Our session was packed and the audience had quite a few laughs. The consensus was we all loved it.

Another fine German film and one worth a trip of any sort or distance to see. Birgit might be in her 20's perhaps 30 at the most looking at her last night. She was an interesting and generous speaker, warm and interested in feedback. If this is her first film we have a lot to look forward to with her future work.