WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
A split second decision. One determination made with only the tension of the moment to guide your choice. Once it has been made and the dust settles, what will be the ramifications of that action? Will it be regret? A sigh of relief? The sense of having done one’s duty? Or, perhaps, all three. German police officer Elke (Henrike von Kuick) and her partner Armin (Tom Keune) follow a vehicle closely into the dense woodlands near the Czech border. After radioing in for additional information on the car, the two make a mutual decision to pull the car over for routine inspection. However, what happens in the next moments in time make the situation much more complicated.
Signaling for the occupants to exit the car, the driver makes an unanticipated run for it, pursued immediately by Elke, while Armin secures the passenger, visibly upset his partner left without backup. Events transpire, a gunshot is heard, and suddenly, Elke finds herself in a moral dilemma, having now killed the young man. As the police department suspends Elke and initiates an investigation into the shooting, a guilt-ridden conscious weighs heavily upon her, added to by an uninvited visit at her own home by the victim’s sister, Karolina (Anna Schinz). Trying to get Armin to assist her, with only limited success, Elke decides to seek out the victim’s family in Czechoslovakia. But once she does, the question then becomes–will asking forgiveness be enough for the grieving kin?
Next, my Mind:
Director Felix Ahrens and writer Lucas Flasch bring to the table a taught, intense, character-driven dramatic thriller with their 30-minute short film offering, delivering the kind of understated, yet suspense-filled, atmosphere that builds throughout the narrative, all leading to a surprising, purposeful, sobering, and intelligent finale that will leave the viewer wanting to know what happens next, even if initial suppositions are made. Beautifully filmed between the almost haunting woodlands of the border country, the starkness of a German police station, Elke’s home, and the residence of a grieving family, the visuals guide the viewer wonderfully amongst the story’s smoothly paced sequences. The ever-changing tone and mood of the story makes this all engaging as well, keeping us on edge, constantly pondering how each and every option Elke adapts will either bring her peace–or potentially be her downfall.
As Elke, the officer troubled and beleaguered by her chosen action and subsequent internal quandary because of it, von Kuick presents a well-orchestrated performance that is very human and realistic. Realizing a mistake was made, the character navigates the perilous waters of indecision as to how to make amends for it, even if just to assuage the guilt she’s experiencing. But as stated above, it is such realizations and demeanor that could be her undoing rather than making things right again, and von Kuick certainly embodies these traits and potently emotes them throughout her role. Likewise, Schinz in particular sticks out as well playing Karolina, the embittered, heartbroken sister of the innocent victim, whose far less prone to have any desire to accept forgiveness from Elke, but would rather ensure the officer is made to suffer more from the error in judgement. Schinz’ infuses Karolina with this fiery intent to excellent degrees.
Keune’s Armin is a portrait of the supportive partner Elke needs during this time, though there is a believable level of hesitation behind his choices to aid her. Michel Diercks, playing the car driver and shooting victim, executes his integral role well here. Additional supporting characters from Davide Brizzi, Nils Schulz, Keno John, Justus Carriere, Alexandra Annika Meyer, and others all assist in filling out the story here as well. Overall, “Where The Woods End” is an absorbing piece of independent filmmaking that shows us how alive the community is all around the world.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
