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Free Will (The)
Original Title
Der Freie Wille- Director: Matthias Glasner
- Writer: Judith Angerbauer; Matthias Glasner
- Producer: Frank Döhmann; Matthias Glasner
CGiii Comment
A very difficult film...indeed.
It raises some very serious questions on chemical castration, rehabilitation, disclosure, the differences between mental health and criminal intent - to name but a few...but, most boldly, once a sex offender - always a sex offender.
The subtext is complex and, practically, never obvious.
The teasing, the temptation, the tension...the fragility of the situation and the underlying sense of danger throughout are perfectly handled by a very composed director.
It's not without its faults but, despite its length, it will have you glued uncomfortably to your chair.
A convincing, uncompromising film on a facet of life.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
After nine years in psychiatric detention Theo, who has brutally assaulted and raped three women, is released. Living in a supervised community, he connects well with his social worker Sascha, finds a job at a print shop and even a girlfriend, Nettie, his principal's brittle and estranged daughter. But even though superficially everything seems to work out Theo's seething rage remains ready to erupt.
Cast & Characters
Jurgen Vogel as Theo Stoer;
Sabine Timoteo as Netti Engelbrecht;
Andre Hennicke as Sascha;
Manfred Zapatka as Netti's father Claus Engelbrecht;
Judith Engel as Anja Schattschneider;
Anna Brass as Raped woman in the dunes;
Anne-Kathrin Golinsky as Seller in department store;
Maya Bothe as Sybille;
Frank Wickermann as Michael;
Anna De Carlo as Waitress;
Bernadette Bullmann as Singer of 'Ave Maria';
Andreas Laurenz Maier as Marius;
Marcel Batangtaris as Toni