Scherbentanz (2002)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Chris Kraus

Writers:

Chris Kraus (novel)
Chris Kraus (screenplay)

Release Date:

31 October 2002 (Germany)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Dysfunctional Family | Leukemia | Family Secret | Sibling Rivalry | Mental Illness

Awards:

6 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Jürgen Vogel	...	Jesko
Nadja Uhl	...	Zitrone
Margit Carstensen	...	Käthe
Peter Davor	...	Ansgar
Dietrich Hollinderbäumer	...	Gebhard
Andrea Sawatzki	...	Young Käthe
David Schwarzenthal	...	Jesko als Kind
Daniel Veigel	...	Ansgar als Kind
Ronnie Janot	...	Bernie
Wolfgang Klapper	...	Professor Freundlieb
Monika Hirschle	...	Stiefi
Christian Koerner	...	Dirk / der junge Gebhard
Beatrice Schorr	...	Verlobte
Roxanne Borski	...	Charlotte
Stefanie Larson	...	Mara

Also Known As:

Shattered Glass (International: English title)

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Germany:12 | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Backnang, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Company:

Arte

Nice make, but disappointing finish (possible spoilers ahead)

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

'Scherbentanz' is a typical German art-house family-problems flick, although this one is particularly dark. Jesko is dying of cancer and only his mother's bone-marrow could save him. Problem is: She went insane 20 years ago, ran away from her children and became a drug-addict. The mother gives a very good and creepy performance. I sat through the film because I wanted to know why she went crazy, but the solution is, frankly, disappointing. I expected much more to have happened to her. Bottom line: interesting plot, beautiful photography, well-written dialogue, well-developed characters, but be prepared to be disappointed by the (non-existent) final twist.