Beautiful Bitch (Martin Theo Krieger, 2008): Germany

Reviewed by Richard Feilden. Viewed at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Beautiful Bitch, written and directed by Martin Theo Krieger, tells the story of a young Romanian orphan as she struggles to make her way in the world. Shown on the second day of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival this provocatively titled film may turn out to be the highlight of the event. With moments that induce laughter and tears, a riveting story and a heart stopping sequence that held the entire audience rigid with fear, Kreiger has struck cinematic gold.

The story opens with Bica, a solvent abusing waif (the silver paint which replaces the traditional glue in her plastic bag not only lending the addict a deathly grey pallor about the lips but also echoing the mercurial nature of the escape from reality that it brings), trying in vain to evade the Romanian police with her infant brother in tow. Separated from her sibling she is taken in by corrupt ex-cop Cristu (a demon she mistakes for a guardian angel) who ships her to Germany, concealed in the trunk of a car. There she is trained as a thief, picking the pockets of strangers to fill those of her patron. One of her victims is the separated father of Milka, a brat with razor sharp tongue. From this unlikely start a friendship forms and Bica gets a glimpse into a world of material security, if not emotional closeness. But as Bica begins to see hope, Cristu fears he will lose his golden goose and his obsession with the young girl descends into violence. The film revolves around the strength Bica draws from her friends and her need to find a better life for herself and her brother.

The tension created by Keriger as the film progresses is truly spectacular. One particular scene, revolving around a firearm discovered at the home of Milka’s father, had the entire audience holding its breath. By the end of the scene the collective sigh of relief threatened to drown out the theatre’s sound system! The director manages to mix heart stopping moments such as this with enough humor to keep the audience engaged and sprinkles in the tiniest suggestion of a hint of hope. This is just enough to lift the audience, yet subtle enough to avoid erasing the memory of the tragic events witnessed and to maintain the believability of the story. The balance is perfect.

Credit though must be given to the young actors playing the majority of the lead roles in the film. They bring an honesty and naivete that is truly refreshing and utterly convincing. Katharina Derr in particular is hypnotic in the lead role, at once tough and emotionally withdrawn whilst remaining vulnerable and motherly towards the younger thieves. Her spiral back into solvent abuse following a subtly filmed yet appropriately revolting rape scene is utterly heart rending. If she continues to act she will be one to watch for.

If I had seen no other films at this festival then this one alone would have made attendance worth while. If you can find a screening, and you can find a seat, this is the film to watch.