STEREO

Germany, 2014, 98 minutes, Colour.
Juergen Vogel, Moritz Bleibtreu, Petra Schmidt- Schaller, Georg Friedrich.
Directed by Maximillian Erlenwein.

Stereo is a rather mysterious German drama. The initial focus is on Erik, who works in a garage, head shaven, tattoos, riding a motorbike, somewhat suspicious for the audience. However, he is in a happy relationship with a young woman, with her child, and there are scenes of happy outings. Also in the picture is the police officer who holds up Erik initially for speeding and he turns out to be the father of the young woman, initially unsympathetic, but changing as the story progresses.

The mysterious element is provided by the appearance of Henry, a middle-aged man, Moritz Bleibtreu, who seems to be something of a haunting figure, the touch of the devilish, a touch of conscience, bringing up Erik’s past, his connection with gangsters whom he ultimately has to confront. He is haunted by Henry’s presence, no one else seeing Henry, including a psychologist whom he consults.

There is a violent confrontation with the criminals at the end, and audiences left wondering about his future?

1. A German drama, realistic, surreal?

2. The settings, the city, countryside, garage, homes, headquarters of criminals? The musical score?

3. The title, different voices?

4. Erik’s story, his age, appearance, riding the bike, speeding, held up by the police, the discovery that the officer was his girlfriend’s father, his relationship with his girlfriend, child, work in the garage? Happy prospects?

5. The arrival of Henry, mysterious, hooded? Name, presence? Continually with Erik? Shadowing him? Watching him? The conversations?

6. The effect on Erik, nobody else seeing Henry? The psychiatrist and the questions? His girlfriend, her father?

7. Erik’s background, criminal, Keitel and his hold? Meeting with him, the thugs? The discussions about Henry? The criminals themselves, together, Keitel the dominance, the others in defiance? Erik’s reaction?

8. The focus on the family, the girl and her father, the child, the threats?

9. The resolution, Erik’s future?