Heavy Girls (Dicke Maedchen) (Axel Ranisch | Germany | 79 min.)
In the film Sven and his mother share their lives in a small Berlin apartment (even sharing the same bed). During the day while he is at work at a bank, Daniel comes over to care for Edeltraut and help out around the house. One day while cleaning the windows, Daniel is locked out on the terrace by the mischievous Edeltraut. She then takes off to the streets of Berlin and all Daniel can do is wait for Sven to return from work hours later. Sven and Daniel then search for Edeltraut and in the process come to realize their mutual affection for each other. Thus begins their unorthodox, complicated and often tender romance. Later in the film a traumatic turn of events quickly brings their relationship to a deeper level and forces them to look at their lives, the choices they have made and the choices they have available to them.

There is a sense of realness and a true intimacy to the film that is enhanced by the production choices – shot in East Berlin over three months, with only a mini DV cam, a very low budget and no crew. The performances are natural, witty and a delight to watch – with Heiko Pinkowski (Sven), Peter Trabner (Daniel) and the superb Ruth Bickelhaupt as Edeltraut (in her first leading role at age 89). Based on only a short treatment in lieu of a script, the film is almost completely improvised. Each scene seamlessly displays the depth of these people’s struggles yet also their love and understanding of each other (and also how fun it is to be child-like and silly). Oh and the joy and freedom of being naked…

- Genevieve DeLaurier