Berlin Alexanderplatz: That's why three hours of cinema are worthwhile

Alfred Döblin's novel "Berlin Alexanderplatz" was a great success in 1929. The new film adaptation is a highlight of the Corona summer.

In the competition of the Berlinale 2020, eleven Lola nominations and five of them won: "Berlin Alexanderplatz" was on everyone's lips even before the cinema was released. Then it suddenly became quiet. The corona virus paralyzed the cinemas and destroyed the original release date in the spring. There were already extremely positive reviews and feedback on the film. But what is the saying? It is worth the wait. From July 16, spectators can now expect a three-hour film highlight of the German Corona summer.

An end can also be a beginning

The film adaptation of the novel "Berlin Alexanderplatz" by Alfred Döblin (1878-1957) begins with an end. Francis (Welket Bungué, 32) and his wife are in the Mediterranean and are fighting for their lives. She doesn't make it, he wakes up on an endless sandy beach and vows to be a good person from now on. The story of 1929 was carried over by director Burhan Qurbani (39) to the present day. In view of the recurring horror reports from the Mediterranean, it could not be more topical.

Arrived in a refugee accommodation in Berlin, Francis works on a construction site. Only when he meets the shady Reinhold (Albrecht Schuch, 34) does he think he has finally found a friend. But Francis is wrong. Because his odyssey begins the moment he meets Reinhold for the first time: He is initially employed as a cook for the drug dealers in the Volkspark.

No matter how hard Francis defends himself – all roads lead back into the always open arms of the criminal, who – as it turns out – is himself only the lackey of the gangster Pums (Joachim Król, 63). Compared to the sleazy Reinhold, Pums is an old-school criminal who still feels committed to the dusty concept of a code. Francis is pulled ever deeper into the swamp and finally saved by the club owner Eva (Annabelle Mandeng, 49), who accommodates him with the young escort girl Mieze (Jella Haase, 27). A fateful encounter.

Outstanding acting ensemble, lead by Albrecht Schuch

But Francis, who at some point prefers to call himself Franz, still can't get rid of Reinhold. Is the opaque, choleric hater of women his downfall? This question arises again and again almost throughout the film. One would like to shout at Francis not to go back to Reinhold, but the reasons are always understandable – even if it is clear that things cannot go well.

Albrecht Schuch embodies the figure of Reinhold with a brilliance that you rarely see. Only a few shots leave memories of the school attendant Micha from "Systemsprenger" (2019). Schuch is unrecognizable in this role and is good to fear for criminals with a worrying physical condition. Welket Bungué, who primarily made a career in Portugal, is also convincing.

Director Burhan Qurbani repeatedly relies on "Berlin Alexanderplatz" with quotations from the title-giving novel about the protagonist Franz Biberkopf, who is ultimately the basic structure of the story – albeit in a different time. These, whether strangely removed from the language, give the strip a special note. To a certain extent, the viewer is condemned to listen carefully, which is also absolutely necessary in view of the extra length of 183 minutes. Fortunately, the film is only a few lengths long.

The convincing actors also include Annabelle Mandeng and Nils Verkooijen (23), who plays her transsexual partner Berta. Her concern for Francis' stumbling seems plausible in the face of the harassment Reinhold is doing to the poor refugee. Joachim Król's performance, on the other hand, has almost something comedic about it, since the stale gangster boss doesn't really want to fit into the modern world.

"Fack ju Göhte" star Jella Haase delivers a solid performance, although not entirely convincing in the end. The attempts of the noble prostitute Mieze to pull Francis out of the dirt usually didn't take long and some of her decisions seem constructed, but are probably due to the novel, the end of which must finally be caught.

Conclusion

"Berlin Alexanderplatz" is a challenge for cinema-goers simply because of the length of the film. But if you get involved, you can enjoy a special movie on the big screen that will not let go of the viewer for now. Even if it always hurts your soul to follow the action, this film is a real asset.

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