Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: SUN AND CONCRETE [Berlinale 2023 - Berlin, Germany]
The aspect of lost childhood but pushed against the darkness of inevitability rocks the characters in "Sun And Concrete" (Berlinale Special Gala), an adaptation of Felix Lobrecht's novel about the Neukolin district of Berlin. Bathed in the missed opportunities of life and the want to get rich or die tryin, the four leads led by Lukas (Levy Rico Arcos) are just trying to get through life and school. Some do better than others. Lukas' friend Gino has an abusive father and a mother that can't escape. Their new friend Sanchez loves his mom but she can't give him the life that he wants so he steals to feel alive and connected. Julius (who comes off as the comedic relief) has one of the most traumatic situations of all of them yet still tries to see the concept of a better life. Julius' downfall is that he seemingly has no connection with reality. The film has the ticking clock element of "Three O'Clock High" back in the 80s. The film is precipitated on the idea that time is running out. Love can't save you. Money goes only so far. Even family can let you down.
The kids keep making mistake after mistake. For most moviegoers, they would like to see the characters learn something. But a lot of times that is not how real life works. People run themselves into the ground. Director David Wnendt gives the characters a veraciousness and a hunger but also an isolation because they exist at the bottom of barrel so it is hard to even see the light. The school itself is like a gauntlet. The parents are doing the best that they can but even they are caught in the crossfire. The interesting ideal is that the shifting tides never quite make it to the darkest places they could (which is actually better for the film) since that would create an even harder resolution and descent into pain. The intentions of what these kids want to be is just to be left along to have their fun, cause some shenanigans, get their kicks, meet some girls and go to the pool. But just their luck...life intercedes. While their choices meander, it is a story of them as Lost Boys going up against Captain Hook and a bunch of other pirates for their share of the loot. The realization for them becomes the only one that matters: they always got each other. B
By Tim Wassberg
