WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Isn’t it amazing? The sheer scope of how we, as human beings, view the world around us? Then, from our “discernment”, comes the subsequent judgements we make about it, thrust into the ether from our eager, overly candid, and often complaining mouths. Can we not find more to talk about in order to tear it down and place a designation upon it? For 20-somethings Pansen (Mary Krasnoperova) and Schluppe (Kira Mathis), non-sequitur conversation and placing said “titles” upon every possible subject is on tap while sitting in a local coffee house.
Drifting through a seemingly endless supply of topics, from the waiter serving them to aliens, the pair mutually agree upon the “tags” they verbally attach to everything their jilted mindsets can conjure, even to the point of then infusing moments of total silence into the proceedings, so as to ponder the previous notion shared. Ultimately finding fault and need for correction in pretty much everything, the chain-smoking duo relentlessly skewer the sum total of issues before finally choosing to leave–with a smile and pleasant attitude. As they exit, a man (Jaschar L Marktanner) and woman (Steffi Charlotte Fluri) enter, sit down, and succinctly start it all over again.
Next, my Mind:
Heralding from Germany via writer/director/producer/editor Jaschar L Marktanner, this quick, but sharp and very coarse, yet curiously comedic 4-minute short film certainly makes a serious bid to tell the world exactly how embittered and spurned we as people actually are when it comes to placing labels on everything we see around us, while perhaps realizing the sheer unimportance of it all. Utilizing black & white film technique, which does enhance the mood and tone intended, combined with the unadulterated disenchantment and pessimism of the two leads, it makes for one heavy yet strangely entertaining effort. Add all the general complaints about coffee and the unspoken dangers of smoking, it’s all quite a statement.
Krasnoperova and Mathis are splendid choices for Pansen and Schluppe, young, but world-weary, bastions of randomness, unhealthy habits, and irreverent concerns to voice. Both exude this disheartened and borderline disinterested attitude with such prolific ease one might actually think this was a real world chat caught on film. Yet in those demeanors comes the humor of it all, because let’s face it, how many unrelated arguments be made with such spiteful resolve and be taken totally seriously? The two actresses’ delivery is so spot on, though, you believe everything they say, even as they are trying to ascertain if resolutions actually exist for these proposed problems amidst the casually conveyed diatribes. Plus, Marktanner and Fluri’s cameo really puts a final exclamation mark on the themes.
Given the film’s very short runtime, there was still too much overt language for this reviewer’s personal preferences, but I do readily see why it was utilized in the context presented here. In summary, “AUFDRUCK/LABEL” is a scathing, but sadly realistic, view of how so many view even the most mundane things in life, and one can only pray that somewhere under the roiling surface of resentment and unfiltered questioning is the chance for finding truth, hope, and a more positive outlook.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
