MICHAEL

people, (americans in particular) go ballistic when it comes to the taboo  subject matter of children and sexuality. of course this is with good reason. sex and children simply don't mix. we as a society have a moral responsibility to protect the innocent, but to ignore/condemn the subject matter does not make it go away. with that said, i highly recommend the new film by director markus schlenzer- MICHAEL   it is the most realistic/honest portrayal of a pedophile/predator i have ever seen. From the outside, 35-year-old Michael leads a seemingly normal life. He's vying for a promotion at the insurance company where he works and goes on vacations to the mountains with friends. But inside Michael's ordinary suburban home, he is hiding a dark and troubling secret. That secret is 10-year-old Wolfgang, who Michael is holding captive in a locked, soundproof room in the basement. In his debut film, director Markus Schleinzer gives us a clinical and unbiased glimpse into five months in Michael and Wolfgang's life together.  Schleinzer strips away moral judgments from the film so all that remains is a portrait of a man, a boy and their interactions. What results is a superbly crafted and suspenseful thriller. this film nor i are condoning the subject matter. "michael"  is a very hard film to watch. you hate michael and feel desperate for the boy. it takes a well-crafted storyteller/ filmmaker to present this highly controversial  topic that truly does explore the human condition. a thoroughly contemporary film... excellent.

Director: Markus Schleinzer Screenwriter: Markus Schleinzer Producer: Nikolaus, Geyrhalter, Markus Glaser, Michael Kitzberger, Wolfgang Widerhofer Director of Photography: Gerald Kerkletz Editor: Wolfgang Widerhofer Production Designer: Katrin Huber, Gerhard Dohr Cast: Michael Fuith, David Rauchenberger