The Forest for the Trees

Directed by Maren Ade
Film Movement
2003
81 Minutes
Germany
German
Drama, Comedy
Not Rated
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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.

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

Awards & Recognition

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