THE MAIN ACTOR
Germany, 1977, 91 minutes, Colour.
Mario Adorf.
Directed by Reinhard Hauff.
A German film made by director Reinhardt Hauff. He had made a film using such a boy as Pape in this film and something of the same consequences had occurred. The director is now interpreting his experience and confessing to failure. The result is an engrossing drama in itself about German social situations as well an film-making. It is also an interesting confession by the director himself.
1. Interesting, entertaining? For a German audience, universal audience?
2. The realism of the presentation of characters, issues, the relationship between film-making and real life? The realism of the themes, the way they were contrived for film communication?
3. The drab world of Pape? The morose character within this world? Exploited by society, exploited by the film-maker? Learning how to exploit others? The film as a critique of this kind of world? The director's own confession about his previous film? How was he atoning by making this film, confessing to failure, self-critique, critique of society, of film-making?
4. The style, atmosphere of Germany and the town, the house, people, the film studios, work in the city, the premiere? The musical score?
5. The theme of film-making - reality and unreality? The world of the film-maker, of the film star? The significance of the title? The effect of the film-making on Pape, on his father, on Max? On the audience?
6. The tone of the opening, presuppositions about the issues? How well drawn was the character of Pape, at home, his involvement in the film, the filming of the sequences? The effect on him of his participation in the film?
7. How strongly emphasized was the relationship of Pape with his father? The brutality of the way of life, aimless? Love, lack of love? The character of the father and his influence on Pape and his actions?
8. The effect of the film on Pape, reliving his life? Understanding it? Being exploited? The effect on the father and his interest in finance etc.? The effect on the whole family?
9. The picture of Max, the competent film director, his skill in his work? His patience in making the film, in directing Pape? How much was he using Pape? The consequences of this? His own involvement, helping the boy, trying to cope, confronting him with his ingratitude, did he have any other option?
10. How did Pape change from the film experience? Working in the city, with Willi? The sabotage, the running away? The returning to the premiere?
11. Audience judgment on how Max could have coped with him? The response to his erratic behaviour? Jobs?
12. The phrase "my film" - as spoken by Pape, with reference to Max?
13. The importance of the sub-plot with the reporter, the presentation of the media, critique, newspapermen on the make? The money issue? Pape exploiting Max?
14. The build-up to the premiere, the film being finished on time, Max's attitude, Pape, the sabotage?
15. The consequent alienation and Pape's indefinite future? How appropriate for the film to end with such a question? What was the audience left with? Understanding, interpretation?
