«We Forever» – Quotenmeter.de

Piercing

Cast: Philip Günsch, Marie Leuenberger, Mina-Giselle Rüffer, Vincent Hahnen, Stefan Maaß, Maurizio Magno
Music: Michael Heilrath
Camera: Michael Bertl
Screenplay: Johannes (also director) and Thomas Schmid

“We forever” – the title alone suggests a promise, an unconditional, all-lasting love, which is elevated to the dramatic main character here. But anyone expecting a beautiful love story will be surprised, perhaps even taken by surprise – in the best sense of the word. Because this TV film is much more than that. It is a subtle portrait of a dysfunctional family, a quiet drama about the fragility of relationships and the burden of responsibility that is placed on you when you are not yet ready for it.

Jann, played with wonderful sensitivity by Philip Günsch, is 17 years old and juggles a life that is far too heavy for his age. His mother Lina, brilliantly portrayed by Marie Leuenberger, is the radiant and at the same time tragic center of this life. A woman full of contradictions: creative, spontaneous and fun-loving, but also unpredictable, depressive and, in her darkest moments, barely bearable. Lina's trauma – sketched out in hints – hangs like the sword of Damocles over everyday family life, turning Jann into an involuntary caregiver and burdening him with a responsibility that is simply too much for a young person.

It is in the small, everyday scenes that “We Forever” unfolds its power, images of a deceptive idyll that can collapse in the next moment. The mood of the film oscillates between lightness and deep, unspoken sadness. Nothing is spelled out loud; instead, the drama is told quickly and casually, the emotional explosions often take place in secret, suppressed, like the tears that Jann cries behind closed doors.

With “We Forever”, Johannes and Thomas Schmid have created a film that takes time to develop its characters, trusting in the power of images. Michael Bertl's camera captures the fragility of this family, which constantly oscillates between closeness and distance. These are images that resonate for a long time – a cheerful family breakfast on the roof, the approach to Jann's childhood sweetheart Selma (Mina-Giselle Rüffer), the empty moments in which Jann simply remains silent, overwhelmed by the burden he bears.

Ultimately, it is the encounter with Selma that brings a new dimension to Jann's life – a love that supports and does not suffocate. Selma is the opposite pole to Jann's mother, a refuge in a daily life that is becoming increasingly unbearable. This tender, budding relationship turns everything upside down, throws Jann's well-ordered chaos off track and forces him to make decisions that should not actually be his. The film shows a slow coming of age, a struggle for self-determination and the question of how far you can go to help someone without losing yourself in the process.

“We Forever” is a quiet but haunting drama that does without grand gestures and finds its strength in precisely that, a film about love in all its facets – the destructive, the selfless, the saving. And last but not least, a film that leaves its viewers wondering how much responsibility love can really bear and when it is time to let go. A strong ensemble, a sensitive production and a brave script make “We Forever” a film that touches without becoming sentimental and whose quiet artistry has a long-lasting effect.

The film “We Forever” will be shown on Wednesday, September 11th at 8:15 p.m. on Das Erste.