WAS BLEIBT / HOME FOR THE WEEKEND
Germany, 2012, 90 minutes, Colour.
Lars Edinger, Corinna Harfouch,
Directed by Hans- Christian Schmid.
Any title which begins with ‘Home for...’ (holidays or weekends) means that we know we are not in for a comedy but rather tensions and melodramas as family members deal with and reveal secrets and lies.
And that is precisely what happens here. We first meet Marko, an author, separated from his now impatient wife and taking his rather spoiled son, Zowie, to his parents’ house. We then meet the younger brother, Jakob, a dentist frustrated with the lack of development of his practice. On the train, a young woman gives Zowie her cake (and no thanks from him) - she turns out to be Jakob’s girlfriend.
All seems happy enough when they meet Gitte, the boys’ mother and Gunter, the father, who has just sold his publishing house, has provided financially for his sons and plans a trip to Jordan to research the book he has wanted to write. They all play soccer on the back lawn. Who could ask for anything more?
The more we actually get is a dinner speech from Gitte who announces she has gone off all her medication. She has been ill for thirty years, depression, breakdowns, hospitalization. Her husband is anxious. He has spent the thirty years of their marriage looking after her. Her sons think she is risking too much in not taking her pills. There are lots of dialogue scenes of argument and concern.
The brothers have to sort out their competitiveness as well as responsibilities for their mother. The father admits his relationship with the local bookshop owner, something which disgusts both sons. Gitte disappears.
While secrets are revealed and lies exposed, there is a certain amount of freedom in the truth, and something of upbeat hope (for some) by the end.
1. A German production, a focus on German family, domestic issues? Family secrets and lies?
2. The German title? Whatever remains? The English title – and the ominous tone of a family assembling for a holiday or a weekend?
3. The opening in Berlin, the small German town, homes, affluence? The surrounding forests? The musical score?
4. The introduction to Marko, alienation from his wife, his being late, taking his son to his grandparents, the wife refusing to come, travelling in the train, Zowie and his wilfulness, demanding cake? The cake given by the girl in the opposite seat? The introduction to Jakob, dentist, cancellations, his going jogging, checking on his mother, calling out for her, the open gate? The group all meeting at the station?
5. Gitte, her life, thirty years of marriage, nearing sixty, thirty years of illness, pills and diagnoses, breakdowns, hospitalisations? Her relationship with her sons? Wanting the weekend to be a success? Working on her inner energy when they arrived? Her skill at cooking, cleaning, maintaining the house?
6. Gunther, with the boat, sixty, thirty years of marriage, thirty years of looking after Gitte, his selling his publishing house, providing for his children, his wanting to write his own book, going to Jordan for research, his statements about his son’s book?
7. Gathering for the meal, the announcement, Gitte’s speech? Going off the pills? The others upset, their reactions? The reasons for their caution?
8. Jakob as a soft man, the house and the design, his father providing the cash, a low-rent return? Gitte, his love for her and concern? His arguments with Marko, jealousy? His being ineffectual, his practice, his girlfriend and their discussions, her hopes, fears, his taunts?
9. Marko, his concern, fixing the car for Gitte, the bonds with Zowie?
10. The initial happiness, the family playing the soccer game, the meal, change? Gitte driving off and disappearing? The contrast with the happy times, Marko singing at the piano, the family joining in – and Gitte weeping?
11. The details of the search, the family, the police, the various sectors?
12. Marko going out in the night, his search, falling and hurting his leg, his mother finding him, her helping the wound, talking – and her disappearance?
13. Gunther, his relationship with Susanne introducing her to Marko initially, the truth about the relationship? Marko’s conservative disapproval? Gunther saying that he had admitted the truth to Gitte? The issue of the tickets to Jordan, Gitte ringing, Susanne going? Gunther and his saying he had a right to happiness after thirty years of caring for Gitte and her hysteria, her illnesses?
14. Marko, his comments about truth, revealing the truth? Jakob and the cheque from his father for improving the practice?
15. The aftermath, Gitte gone, Gunther and Susanne together, Jakob and his girlfriend in Sweden, talking through Skype, designing the house? Marko and his contact with Tine, her coming to the house, with Zoe, the possibility of reconciliation? The final issues of truth and hope?
