DIE BLINDGAENGER
Germany, 2004, 88 minutes, Colour.
Ricarda Ramunke, Maria Rother.
Directed by Bernd Sahling.
Die Blindgaenger won several awards at children’s film festivals. It focuses on two blind orphans, Maria and Inger. The film details the way of life in the orphanage in which they live, dormitories, dining rooms, classrooms etc. It shows some sympathetic staff and some demanding staff.
However, Maria has a talent for music, playing the violin. Inger has a talent for playing brass instruments. Together they practise, run away, form a band with another boy, go into a competition – and win.
The film is one of those uplifting films for children, highlighting that no matter how difficult the handicap, when talent and gifts are fostered, success is possible. The two young girls give very sympathetic performances – and the film sets its story firmly in the German countryside. However, it has universal appeal.
1.A film about children, for children? Its awards?
2.The German setting, universal appeal? Handicaps, coping, overcoming difficulties, achievement? Hopes and quality of life?
3.The German setting, the landscapes, the aqueduct, the fields and the freeways? The audience seeing the beauty – the children not seeing it? The musical score – performance, the final prize-winning song?
4.The opening, Maria walking, the audience discovering that she was blind? Her ability to cope, track her way along the wall, jump over obstacles, sitting down and waiting? Her place in the school, no family, her friendship with Inger, with the boys? Scenes of classrooms, the typing of the Braille? The dining room and accidents? Dormitories? Watching – listening to TV? The detail of institutional life?
5.Maria, a character, young, determined? Inger, bigger? Her instrument, playing? In trouble? Friends, the boy, his skills? Their playing together, practice? Their going out on the town – their getting money, begging, dressing up as clowns?
6.The truck stop, Maria’s bewilderment, her being saved? Her friend, the bond – and his farewell?
7.The portrait of the staff, in the classroom, the Braille typing, Inger cheating? Supervision, accidents in the dining room, the authorities?
8.Karl, pleasant, supportive, his camera? Making the video?
9.The music, playing, Maria and her skills, the group? The title of their group and the title of the film?
10.The competition, playing? The group listening to the television, the television style, the announcement, the win?
11.The song, happiness? The children’s talent?
12.The importance of discovering talent, fostering it for achievement?
