Kist- Vincent Wants to Sea

To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to this Film Festival experience. I thought that I would have to spend time and money on something that I wouldn't even enjoy, but I was wrong. When I arrived to Tower City, there were a lot more people than I expected to see lining up to go see films. The film that I originally wanted to see was sold out, so on a whim my group decided to see Vincent Wants to Sea. To my horror, the whole thing was in German with English subtitles which usually annoys me. Despite the fact that I did not see the film I had originally intended to and the whole thing was in German, I really enjoyed it.

I would love to merge this experience with one of my lessons when I become a teacher and take my class on a field trip to the Film Festival.

Here is a clip of Vincent Wants to Sea if anyone is interested.
Vincent Wants to Sea


Review

Personal Issues- The three main characters; Vincent, Alex, and Marie all have mental health problems. Vincent has Tourettes syndrome, Alex has O.C.D, and Marie has anorexia. I was surprised at how much I could relate to the characters in that they were different from the people around  them. I have A.D.D and I was diagnosed while I was  in elementary school. I was really self-conscious when the school psychiatrist came to my class every week for appointments. Maybe this was all in my head but I felt that my classmates knew something was up, and that I was different than them in some way. Because of my own experience, I can definitely relate to these characters feelings about being different than everyone else.

Technique- I felt the camera work was truly spectacular in this film. One instances is when Vincent, Marie, and Alex are climbing a mountain. When they reach the top, they notice a large cross that looks over the entire mountain. The three climb on the cross and sit on it without saying a word. When the camera shows their faces they all look happy and free. I feel that climbing this mountain represents something more profound to all of these characters and the camera illustrates this beautifully.

Acting- Vincent, Alex, and Marie were the principal roles in this film. The actors and actress who portray these characters do a spectacular job of showing the viewer what its like to have these mental health problems. Marie was played by a girl who was very thin but this clearly was not the only reason that she was chosen to be in the film.

Plot- The story begins at Vincent's mother's funeral where we see the symptoms of Vincent's mental illness. Because of his mental illness and the fact that his mother just passed away, Vincent's father takes him to a mental health facility. He is greeted by a doctor when he arrives and his roommate Alex who has O.C.D. He is later introduced to Marie and the two have an instant connection. During an argument with her therapist, Marie steels the therapists keys and plans a get-a-way with Vincent. When Alex threatens to ruin their plan, the two put him in the back of the car and head to the Sea. They are soon pursued by Vincent's strict father and their therapist. This story is about how this journey changes all of them.

Themes- The issues in this film seem to surround those with the mental health problems. The viewer comes to question whether or not the characters are better of in the facility or on their own. While two of the characters seem to learn how to cope with their illness, one struggles severely. The relationship between father and son is an important aspect of the film, which changes over the course of the film. I feel that the message in this film is that we should try to understand those around us and help them in the best way possible.

Genre- I feel like this belongs the coming of age category because through this journey the characters learn to accept themselves and each other. The common characteristics of these films is that there is a change in a major character or they grow in some way. I feel this genre is popular because everyone can relate to it.

Representation- This film represents people with mental health disorders and portrays them as people with real emotions and feelings.I think the film represents them in this way so that viewers can look beyond the disabilities these people have.

Ideology- The father son relationship in this film is challenged throughout the film. The father seems to have had enough of Vincent and continually expresses his disappointment. When Vincent is missing his father is at first frustrated and angry with him, but in the end they both learn to understand each other.