JACK
Director: Edward Berger, 102 min., 2013/14
JACK is a film about the development of a boy who has learnt to take responsibility from a young age. At the end of the film, he surprises us with the decision he makes and holds up a mirror to the audience with the courage he shows.
Jack is ten years old and hasn’t been at the home for long. It’s summer and there is great anticipation for the summer holidays. However, he’s not picked up on the last day of school. His mother, Sanna, a single parent who seems to be permanently overwhelmed with herself, with having to raise two children and with everything in general, calls the boy and consoles him. Jack is left waiting at the school with another boy and with the teachers, until he ends up exchanging blows with the other kid. Terrified, he runs away and goes back home to seek refuge with his mother, but, once again, Sanna isn’t there. Jack picks up his six-year-old brother Manuel from a friend’s house and together, they set out to find their mother. They roam around the city for several days, following her trail. The two brothers gradually manage to go through their mother’s circle of acquaintances, constantly reaping kind words and being given the cold shoulder. Ultimately, they remain utterly alone. In fact, 10-year-old Jack appears to be the most mature character in the entire film.
Edward Berger and co-author Nele Mueller-Stöfen portray the search of two children for their mother in a laconic, sensitive and poetical manner, and convey a sense of understanding of the pain and loneliness of the young boy. The film also shows a panoramic view of Berlin – the boulevards, supermarkets, nightclubs, bars and parks, and last but not least, the barren edges which are far away from the vibrant centre.
”JACK is an unusual film. A small sensation.” (Berliner Zeitung)
“The young actor Ivo Pietzcker accomplishes greatness in his portrayal of the role of Jack. His facial expressions reflect determination, maturity and a sense of responsibility. He thinks and acts in a stoic and pragmatic manner and he does what has to be done without complaining or giving up. However, in many instances, the child’s vulnerable soul flashes before our eyes and the audience can sense the boy’s loneliness and longing for his mother. ( (Statement given by the FBW, the German federal authority for evaluating and rating film and media, after rating the film “especially valuable”)
“The main character: a ten-year-old boy from Berlin, who, along with his younger brother Manuel, reluctantly becomes a vagabond for a weekend. One could describe him as a modern-day Chaplin, or rather, as a Dickensian character. The route he takes into the shabby niches, glistening shops and dreary empty spaces is determined and his actions are deliberate and quick. He lovingly takes care of his younger brother. He learns not to reveal too much and you can hear him breathe frantically when he has to hectically fix a situation, or sigh softly when he falls asleep relieved.” ((Die Welt)
Director’s biography:
Edward Berger was born in Wolfsburg in 1970. He studied directing at NYU in New York and successfully completed his studies there in 1994. Edward Berger first gained experience by working at the American independent film production company Good Machine, during which he also worked on films by Ang Lee and Todd Haynes. Edward Berger has been living in Berlin since 1997. The first film he directed was Gomez: Heads or Tails. He then went on to direct several episodes of the German TV series KDD – Kriminaldauerdienst. In 2012, his film A Good Summer was awarded the Grimme award.
He’s been working with Nele Mueller-Stöfen for several years. The film JACK was based on their screenplay and was jointly developed by them.
Free Entrance.
Date: 13 June 2017
Time: 19:00–21:00
Venue: Goethe-Zentrum Kampala UGCS
Plot 52, Bukoto Street, Kamwokya, P.O.Box 11778 Kampala, Uganda
