THIS IS LOVE

Germany, 2009, 104 minutes, Colour.
Corrina Harfouch, Jens Albinus, Duyen Pham, Jurgen Vogel.
Directed by Matthias Glasner.

A rather generic title for a film which has many social concerns.

The central character is a German, Chris, who is earnest about protecting young girls in Thailand from prostitution. He works with an associate – but this collaboration later falls apart. The screenplay focuses on Chris’s relationship with a young girl, his attempts to bring her to Germany, to find foster parents for her, his falling in love with her. In despair, he tries to kill himself by crashing his car.

There is an interrogation sequence by a policewoman, Maggie, who has her own problems, long separation from her husband, his disappearance and creating a new life while her daughter knows about this but has not communicated it to her mother, relating to children, drinking. Chris and Maggie form a friendship to help the young Thai girl, to prevent the one thugs from reclaiming the girl and taking her back to Thailand.

So, the film was working at two levels. There are personal stories, with the touches of sadness and tragedy. And there are the social themes of children, sexual exploitation, violent pursuit.

1. The title? Generic? In terms of the two adults? In terms of exploited children? Friends and exploiters?

2. The German setting, the city, homes, police precincts? The contrast with Thailand, trafficking? The musical score?

3. The two central characters, their stories, the background, their intertwining?

4. Maggie, her personality, her marriage, the failure, family, her husband walking out, her daughter concealing the truth, seeing him after many years, his reasons? Her work in the police?

5. Chris, his concerns, trafficking, his friend and their working together, law, international regulations?

6. The children, from Thailand, being brought to Europe, the law, custody, adoption? Relationships with the children?

7. Jinjira, her age, background, trafficked, in Europe, Chris and his care for her, the growing commitment? Roland, his role with the adoption? Their travelling to Asia?

8. Maggie, the investigation, working with Chris? Rescuing Jinjira?

9. The scene in the car, the tension, doing the best for Jinjira? Maggie, her concern? Chris, his despairing, crashing the car?

10. Social difficulties in Europe at the time? An analysis through characters? Situations and themes?