(( NOTE: 1-STAR added for high degree of location / setting authenticity which was captured ON FILM. Otherwise, Story...Acting...Camera Work would have been rated 5-STARS ))
Described at many DVD sales sites as more of a Gay Romance....here at IMDb.com it is labeled a Drama. Neither of these descriptions is "mostly" correct....and for why, read on.
In the Director's words, this is a film he calls "The Farm" (perhaps being titled "Harvest" is more marketable for American distribution). Also in Benjamin Cantu's own words, this is more a "Documentary" (at least, a semi-one), rather than a film falling completely in either of the 2 Genres mentioned above. Now, in order for you to relate more easily to this film and its location, think of it as being a take off on the United State's "F"uture "F"armers of "A"merica. ....BUT, here in this film, it is a story taking place on the far outskirts of Berlin, in an agricultural school established to intern / train the "FFG". Note that farm life and activities are quite realistically portrayed, right down to the actual use of farm machinery and the handling of animals (this is a working farm). Yes, there is a "side story" in which we are given scenes of the developing "relationship" between 2 young, male trainees (the only professional actors in this film; the many other persons you see being actual agricultural school students and their instructors).
As for my general impression of the storyline, I find it one which transports us into a deeply agricultural environment....BUT does so somewhat "aimlessly". There are "Shifts" in plot directions and actions being shown us which seem to occur without meaning (aimlessness also exists within that "personal relationship" we are waiting to see develop). Dialog, by the writer / director's own admission, is often unscripted or improvisational, and there is much reliance upon "looks" and "glances" to get a point....or a feeling across to us.
And as for what we are all waiting to see occur (due to the "romantic sales pitch" often given this movie), physical contact between the 2 leads is very slow in coming....and amounts to nothing other than upper body contact. Kissing scenes are particularly mishandled, due to poor camera angles and even worse use of lighting. Still, both of the Straight actors playing characters "Marko and Jakob", are fairly adept at portraying the qualms of "coming out" and facing up to a first affair. Kai-Michael Müller, as "Jakob", is particularly able at expressing such feelings. Lukas Steltner's "Marko", who we follow from film's beginning, is more stoic in nature (due likely to his character's more "iffy" family background).
At best, I see this as an "intermittently Gay" film, which I will NOT be keeping in my Film Library for this Genre.
****
Described at many DVD sales sites as more of a Gay Romance....here at IMDb.com it is labeled a Drama. Neither of these descriptions is "mostly" correct....and for why, read on.
In the Director's words, this is a film he calls "The Farm" (perhaps being titled "Harvest" is more marketable for American distribution). Also in Benjamin Cantu's own words, this is more a "Documentary" (at least, a semi-one), rather than a film falling completely in either of the 2 Genres mentioned above. Now, in order for you to relate more easily to this film and its location, think of it as being a take off on the United State's "F"uture "F"armers of "A"merica. ....BUT, here in this film, it is a story taking place on the far outskirts of Berlin, in an agricultural school established to intern / train the "FFG". Note that farm life and activities are quite realistically portrayed, right down to the actual use of farm machinery and the handling of animals (this is a working farm). Yes, there is a "side story" in which we are given scenes of the developing "relationship" between 2 young, male trainees (the only professional actors in this film; the many other persons you see being actual agricultural school students and their instructors).
As for my general impression of the storyline, I find it one which transports us into a deeply agricultural environment....BUT does so somewhat "aimlessly". There are "Shifts" in plot directions and actions being shown us which seem to occur without meaning (aimlessness also exists within that "personal relationship" we are waiting to see develop). Dialog, by the writer / director's own admission, is often unscripted or improvisational, and there is much reliance upon "looks" and "glances" to get a point....or a feeling across to us.
And as for what we are all waiting to see occur (due to the "romantic sales pitch" often given this movie), physical contact between the 2 leads is very slow in coming....and amounts to nothing other than upper body contact. Kissing scenes are particularly mishandled, due to poor camera angles and even worse use of lighting. Still, both of the Straight actors playing characters "Marko and Jakob", are fairly adept at portraying the qualms of "coming out" and facing up to a first affair. Kai-Michael Müller, as "Jakob", is particularly able at expressing such feelings. Lukas Steltner's "Marko", who we follow from film's beginning, is more stoic in nature (due likely to his character's more "iffy" family background).
At best, I see this as an "intermittently Gay" film, which I will NOT be keeping in my Film Library for this Genre.
****