The Woodsman
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | The Woodsman |
| Original title | The Woodsman |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 2004 |
| length | 87 minutes |
| Age rating |
FSK 12 JMK 12 |
| Rod | |
| Director | Nicole Kassell |
| script |
Steven Fechter , Nicole Kassell |
| production | Lee Daniels |
| music | Nathan Larson |
| camera | Xavier Pérez Grobet |
| cut |
Brian A. Kates , Lisa Fruchtman |
| occupation | |
| |
The Woodsman (German alternative title: The demon in me ) is a film from 2004 . Directed by Nicole Kassell .
action
After twelve years in prison for the sexual harassment of minors, Walter begins a new life in a nameless city. From his family he only has contact with his brother-in-law Carlos, who regularly informs him about the life of his sister and niece, as his sister forbids him direct contact. He regularly visits a therapist with whom he discusses his fears and progress.
He moves into a small apartment right across from an elementary school and gets a job in a sawmill. Walter remains very withdrawn from the other employees and is the only one to take the bus. Only his colleague Vicki seeks contact with Walter. Even after Vicki gets the history of Walter revealed, she sticks to Walter after initial doubts, because she sees something good in him. The relationship with Vicki gives him stability during this difficult time.
Most of the other employees in the sawmill, however, treat him with suspicion, rejection and hatred. This goes so far that the secretary Mary-Kay, after finding out the truth in an Internet search, distributes information sheets among the workforce, on which Walter is denounced as a " child molester ". She also recommends Walter to look for a job elsewhere. The local police officer Sergeant Lucas causes Walter additional problems with his recurring, aggressively hostile visits. Since he was only released on parole, large parts of his life are strictly controlled. But Walter struggles most with himself and his impulses, which repeatedly threaten to take over. So he follows a young girl in a park and speaks to her. They talk about the types of birds they are watching. When he meets the girl one more time, he tries to persuade her to sit on his lap. The 11-year-old refuses to do so at first, but would do it for his sake - just as she always did before with her father. Walter realizes that she is being sexually harassed by her father and refrains from his intention. The girl hugs Walter when she says goodbye and goes home.
In his free time Walter often observes elementary school, where he notices a man who keeps approaching the children and giving them sweets. After he beats up this man, wanted in Virginia for child abuse, because he finally lures a little boy into his car, he moves out of his small apartment and lives with Vicki. Walter is driven by Vicki to meet his sister and her husband. The film ends here. Whether Walter will be held accountable for the serious bodily harm he is suspected of by Sergeant Lucas and whether he will continue to work in the sawmill remains to be seen.
Trivia
- The film was shot in Philadelphia . Philadelphia is the hometown of both Kevin Bacon and director Nicole Kassell.
- Kevin Bacon added his own Philadelphian accent. He thought this was important for the portrayal of his character Walter.
- The two main characters Bacon and Sedgwick are actually married and have two children together.
Awards
- Satyajit Ray Award at the 2004 London Film Festival
- Gras-Savoye Prize for best film music at the Cannes International Film Festival 2004
- Award for the best screenplay at the Slamdance Film Festival 2001
criticism
“The drama largely adopts the narrative perspective of its protagonist and symbolizes his temptations with signals that are applied too thickly. The delicate subject of the film is rather metaphorically veiled and only hinted at. "
“The Woodsman” needs to be seen and talked about. It's a film about forgiveness and acceptance and ultimately about humanity that has been lost somewhere between perpetrators and victims. "
Web links
- The Woodsman in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Official website
Individual evidence
- ↑ Age rating for The Woodsman . Youth Media Commission .
- ↑ The Woodsman. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed March 2, 2017 .
- ↑ [1]