Who payed the critics

Waste of time

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

This film is about two best friends in a rowing team going to train for a competition. They are faced with dramatic challenges and transformations, which changes their lives forever."Sommersturm" is a really beautiful film, both aesthetically and emotionally. The scenery is beautiful, the scene composition is beautiful, and the cinematography is artistic. Emotionally, the film is even more beautiful, as it explores the struggle of a teenage man who is coming to terms with his sexuality. Tobi's inner struggle is very well presented, and viewers can easily identify with the characters.The friendship between Tobi and Achim is warm and genuine, and their youthful energy radiates throughout the film. Their friendship is beautiful. Well, everything about this film is beautiful. "Sommersturm" is a gem and I hope there will be more films like this.

SommerStrum – SUMMERSTORM – CATCH IT ( B+ ) SommerStrum is very heartwarming German movie, which avoids the general clichés of Camp movies. It's a simple story about a boy trying to figure out what he exactly wants is quite endearing. I love the way whole movie progresses and the humor quotient and good characterization makes it really captivating. Robert Stadlober is good, he was as convincing as mean jealous friend and as Caring loving friend too. Kostja Ullmann is gorgeous, no wonder Robert Stadlober fall in love with him. The chemistry between these two is really good. Alicja Bachleda is really gorgeous and her emotional range in performance can be seen in the movie. I have seen her in "Ondine" as well where she was mesmerizing. Miriam Morgenstern did her part really well. All the other young cast was also did their part really well and brought the humor and fun into the movie. Overall, its really enjoyable, real and inspiring movie about something feeling Different. I loved every moment of the movie. Must Watch it!

Some kids growing up find that attachments to their buddies of the same sex, so much stronger and deeper than their emerging interest in the opposite sex. Talking to each other about the taboo subjects of sexual exploration, sometimes sharing some form of mutual sex, masturbation, in subtitles, this film, translates the German to the slang English term "choking the chicken", for the clinical term. Getting laid, referred to as "doing it". The rowing teams in competition all camp out at a lake somewhere in Germany, with a group of competitors from different parts of the country. The all girl Berliner team cannot come, and a gay group "Queerstrokes" comes instead and spoils some plans of the co-ed Baverian team which the camera comes with, focusing on a young pair of boys, best of friends, and their girl friends. And the tragedies of unrequited love, the desire to win, the summer storm descends and fates are sealed in a great mix up of teams and emotions. Some comedy, and some pained heart-aches, some homo-erotic healing and some hetero- healing... some crazy mix-ups and misunderstandings... A lot of things turned upside down with a few delicious ironies on the way... life will be different for a lot of these youngsters after this summer storm....I found it very satisfying, and nicely done, more in the takes of the young cast.... each scene well performed, the camera ads comments of its own, seemingly, leading the story onward. Original editing and pretty photography helped. 7 or 8 stars

This is by far one of these best gay-themed films I have seen since "Beautiful Thing" (released in 1996) - and one of the best films (of any kind) that I have watched since "Crash".You will laugh out loud, and cry as you feel the agony Tobi endures while coming to terms with his sexuality. Tobi (played flawlessly by Robert Stadlober) is the leader of his rowing team, and looked up to by his teammates for leadership. When his team is up against another rowing team comprised of an all-gay team, his inner feelings are realized. Tobi deals with his feelings and love for his best friend Achim, and eventually deals with the complications of coming out to him. All the while dealing with confused emotions for his girlfriend and a new boy he meets on the opposing team.The film is genuine, well-directed, well-acted and goes head-on with the painful emotions most younger people must face when trying to understand their sexuality. THIS STORY IS REAL! And proves once again that we truly cannot help who we fall in love with. Love is about following your heart - it's about people, not the sex of the individual's involved.The movie hails from Germany, and is in German with English subtitles. Even with having to read the film to understand it, the talent of the young actors shines through.Not only was I impressed by the story, even the movies scenes and settings were delightful. Kudos to here! Films, Genius Products and Liberation Entertainment for producing this movie. It's a shame Hollywood USA can't (or doesn't have the courage) to produce this quality and style of film.