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The Forest for the Trees

Directed by Maren Ade
Film Movement
2003
81 Minutes
Germany
German
Drama, Comedy
Women Directors, Gender Studies, Community
Not Rated
Library Pricing:
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DVD $150.00
Blu-ray $150.00
PPR $350.00
DRL $499.00
PPR+DRL $599.00
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Bursting with idealism, Melanie Pröschle (Eva Lobau) leaves home to start her teaching career, armed with alternative methods and bright-eyed optimism. On her first day of classes, she gives an ambitious speech, saying that she wants to offer a "breath of fresh air" to the school. Instead, Melanie finds rejection from her colleagues, torture from her students and loneliness in her personal life.

"German writer-director Maren Ade’s 2003 debut offers the kind of incisive portrait of female loneliness and raw anger that is rarely seen in contemporary cinema... Recommended." - Video Librarian

Cast

  • Eva Lobau
  • Daniela Holtz
  • Highest Rating
    "An outstanding Löbau plays Melanie as a social incompetent... Yet despite being the kind of character you'd cross the street to avoid, Löbau generates enough sympathy to wish for a happy ending. Ade's own script is sharp enough to ensure that nothing is wasted, oozing with that sick pit-of-the-stomach feeling that comes with being truly out of your depth and builds towards an enigmatic conclusion rich in pathos."
    Jamie Woolley, BBC

Gallery

Awards & Recognition

Winner
Special Jury Prize
Sundance Film Festival
Winner
Best Film
Newport Int'l Film Festival
Winner
Best Actress
Newport Int'l Film Festival
Official Selection
Toronto Int'l Film Festival
Official Selection
LA Film Festival
Official Selection
San Francisco Int'l Film Festival
Official Selection
Vancouver Int'l Film Festival

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