The Forest for the Trees
2003 · Movie · 81 min · ★ 6.6 · 72% critics
A young, idealistic teacher starts her first job in a new city, expecting a fresh beginning. Instead, classroom pressures and social isolation pile up, and her awkward attempts to connect with others only make things harder as she struggles to find her footing.
Also known as The Forest Full Of Trees
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Details
- Original title
- Der Wald vor lauter Bäumen
- Years
- 2003
- Release date
- 2004-09-16
- Language
- German
- Runtime
- 81 min
- Max quality
- SD
- Critic score
- 72/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.6/10 (49 votes)
About
You may like this if you want a raw, cringe-inducing character study about loneliness, work stress, and fragile friendships, with an unsettled feel; Not for you if you need comfort, clear answers, or a breezy tone like Soul Kitchen.
Pros: painfully realistic; strong performances; emotionally affecting | Cons: uncomfortable to watch; slow progression; divisive open ending
Themes
- mockery
- failure
- idealist
- teacher
- betrayal by friend
- woman director
Awards & recognition
- Sundance Film Festival World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award · 2005
Cast & crew
Eva Löbau
as Melanie Pröschle
Daniela Holtz
as Tina Schaffner
- JN
Jan Neumann
as Thorsten Rehm
Ilona Schulz
as Frau Sussmann
Robert Schupp
as Tobias
- HR
Heinz Röser-Dümmig
as Lutger Reinhardt
- ME
Martina Eckrich
as Renate Pföhler
- NF
Nina Fiedler
as Bine
- HK
Hans-Rüdiger Kucich
as Gerd Postweiler
- RK
Ruth Köppler
as Elvira Fischer-Walter
Directed by Maren Ade