Tough Love (2015 film)
Tough Love (German: Härte) is a 2015 German drama film directed by Rosa von Praunheim and starring Hanno Koffler. [1] The film tells the story of Andreas Marquardt who was sexually abused by his mother as a boy, became a karate champion and later a pimp. It was screened in the Panorama section of the 65th Berlin International Film Festival[2] where it won the 3rd place prize in the Panoroma Audience Award.[3]
| Tough Love | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Rosa von Praunheim |
| Produced by | Rosa von Praunheim |
| Written by | Nicolas Woche Jürgen Lemke Rosa von Praunheim |
| Starring | Hanno Koffler |
| Music by | Andreas Wolter |
| Cinematography | Nicolai Zörn Elfi Mikesch |
| Edited by | Mike Shepard |
Release date |
|
Running time | 89 minutes |
| Country | Germany |
| Language | German |
Plot
As a little boy Andy is severely mistreated by his father until the man leaves the small family for good. Left alone with her son, the mother forces Andy into incestuous acts. At the age of eight, Andy feels drawn to Japanese martial arts and begins to train on a daily basis. Unlike his familial situation, his dojo provides the security of a reliable hierarchy where he can thrive. His recklessness and his achievements as a tournament fighter assure him the attention of the local underworld. Lacking alternatives he accepts an opportunity to work as a racketeer. More than one pretty young girl is infatuated with his rugged charm. He takes advantage of their feelings by running a prosperous side business as a pimp until a girl named Hannah says something that reminds him of his abusive mother. Overwhelmed by anger he beats her badly and finds himself behind bars. Marion, one of his lovers, remains faithful. With her he opens up to a woman for the first time and that enables him to tell a therapist the secrets of his troubled childhood. Following his release he becomes Marion's faithful companion.
Cast
- Hanno Koffler as Andy
- Katy Karrenbauer as Andy's mother
- Oliver Sechting as barkeeper
- Luise Heyer as Marion
- Sascia Haj as Hannah
- Udo Lutz as prison guard
- Stefan Kuschner as revenue officer
- Luise Schnittert as Beate
Reception
British film critic Joe Manners Lewis evaluated the film plot as "interesting" but he also stressed that von Praunheim's adaptation occasionally looked more like a documental reconstruction than like artistic cinema.[4]
See also
- List of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender-related films of 2015
References
- "Härte". cineman.ch. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
- "Selection of Fictional Films in Panorama Now Complete: 34 Features from 29 Countries". berlinale.de. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
- "Berlin: 'The Second Mother' Wins Panorama Audience Award". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
- "Berlin Film Festival 2015: Tough Love review". theupcoming.co.uk. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
External links
- Tough Love at IMDb