Plus-Minus Zero  /  Berlin is in Germany

The Wall is down–so what now?

Plus-Minus Zero  (Germany, 1997/8)

Plus-Minus Null

Alex works as a construction worker on the huge new complex being built at Potsdamer Platz. Life hasn’t been easy since his wife left him, and he can hardly cover the debts and alimony. He falls in love with Svetlana, a Bosnian girl who works as a prostitute. Her residency permit is due to expire and she asks him to marry her so she can stay, but he shies away from the responsibility. Eoin Moore’s debut feature was shot on a minimal budget on home video equipment, with available light and young actors. The film is a tender portrayal of struggling youngsters who don’t fit in anywhere, while all around them the city is adjusting to the challenges of reunification.

DCP, color, 84 min. Director: Eoin Moore. Producer: Christian Hohoff. Screenwriter: Eoin Moore. Cinematographer: Bernd Löhr, Eoin Moore. Editor: Dirk Grau, Eoin Moore. Cast: Andreas Schmidt, Tamara Simunovic, Kathleen Gallego Zapata.

Berlin is in Germany  (Germany, 2001)

Martin saw the reunification of East and West Germany on television while in prison serving an 11-year sentence. After his release, as an East Berliner he has to adjust to a society he can’t really understand. His ex-wife and son have become strangers to him. His prison mate Victor finds a job for him in a video store. His hopes of being a taxi driver are dashed when his past is exposed. And Victor’s shady deals soon get him into trouble again. Hannes Stöhr’s debut feature portrays the changes in Berlin with a sense of irony, and empathizes with his anti-hero struggling to make a new start.

DCP, color, 97 min. Director: Hannes Stöhr. Producer: Gudrun Ruzicková-Steiner. Screenwriter: Hannes Stöhr. Cinematographer: Florian Hoffmeister. Editor: Anne Fabini. Music: Florian Appl. Cast: Jörg Schüttauf, Julia Jäger, Valentin Platanearu.