I love this movie so much

Just perfect...

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

"Sommersturm" or "Summer storm" is a German 90-minute (without credits) movie from over 10 years ago. It was written and directed by Marco Kreuzpaintner and is probably still his most known work. Either this or "Krabat". The lead actor here is Robert Stadlober and I remember he was pretty popular back then. However, class prevails and lack thereof as well as he isn't famous today anymore. And yet they made the impossible possible by finding a co-lead to him that is an even weaker actor than Stadlober. Man Kostja Ullmann is really unbearably bad. I swear he had the same face expression during the entire movie. By today's standards, the biggest star in here is probably Hanno Koffler who has emerged as one of the most lauded German actors from his age group in recent years.In reference to my title for this review, I would like to say that the genre of gay-themed movies is especially dominant in terms of short films, but occasionally you will also find one in terms of full features. And sadly, this one here is pretty disastrous. But maybe it's also their own fault. Many of these gay-themed films have rating that are ridiculously high. It seems that the inclusion of gay people or homosexuality as a topic is enough for many to appreciate a film like this. Talk about low expectations. And if they are like that, they actually deserve to be exposed to garbage like this movie here. On a more positive note, I believe some of the supporting actors are actually talented in here, but they were written so badly that it hurts, such as the coach of the rowing team. And how is almost everybody in that training camp gay apparently? At least, that was the impression I got and 50% of those who weren't actually were, but were still hiding in the closet. Very bizarre and unrealistic. Bachleda plays her part well and looks stunning. Probably the best performance from the bunch. She was almost the only that felt authentic. Not enough though to make this extremely flawed film work. Not recommended.

In the film world, where financing and audience size are often key factors, it is rather tricky to create something on the topic of coming out as gay - particularly with youngsters involved and erotic scenes/undertones. All this requires a piety balance, and, in my opinion, the director/co-writer Marco Kreuzpaintner and his colleague have succeeded in this. Solid script, development of characters, versatile scenes, and skillful performances starting from Robert Stadlober as Tobi have made Sommersturm smooth to follow, hopefully also for them who dislike gays or feel pity for the girls unable to get cute boys as they are (being) taken by other boys... Well, this Queerschlag gay youth rowing team seemed slightly odd to be, but apparently it was a way to bring this gay topic into light and contribute to funny moments in the film; as implicated above, for the boy-girl relations you feel sorry.All in all, a brave yet decent film, without slipping into unnecessary sensation or preaching. Definitely not for conservatives or religious persons.

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.

Strange film grace of his original beauty. The essence is self-discover of a teenager but, not his obsessive love for his friend, the ambiguity of feelings, the moral end or the fight with himself, the contact with the "others" are important . The essence is the splendid art to tell, in honest way, with delicate images and ordinary scenes the evolution of a crisis, the gestures of a age, the love as miracle, the fixation and desire of an outsider for who his self-image and the opinion of friends is the fundamental punishment.To be yourself like horrible sin.It is not a original story but this film is great for the subtle science to discover, without pity, compassion or masks a real slice of existence.The love for an Achim or the desire for be normal in a homophobic society are not only artistic themes and the message of film is, in fact, to be a model to self definition, a subject to meditation, a point to search of truth against others, against yourself.Only, the commercial happy-end. The shadows are not a so short life. But, the intentions , the honesty of work, the game with lights and the good interpretation are more important.