I saw this film in the Berlinale film festival 2012, where it was part of the Competition section. It tells about an intriguing situation with a brother and a sister living together. Both have very uncommon ways to pass the time, each having their own survival strategy. We are left in the dark for a long time how all that came about.
I especially admire the role of 12-year old Simon, who shows versatility, skills and experience in his daily "job" of stealing ski's and related material from well-to-do tourists in the ski resort, in order to re-sell it later on to less wealthy people in the village. He acts as a real professional, and knows everything there is to know about equipment brands and related market prices.
The "sister" role, on the other hand, gets a bit on my nerves. She is utterly useless in earning a living, nor is she capable of running an orderly household. She's easily distracted when a man (any man) is around, and often leaving in the company of a lover, each time a different one. I'm not completely sure how to characterize her way of living together with Simon as either symbiotic or parasitic.
Halfway the movie it turns out that the relationship between Simon and his "sister" is completely different from what he tells everyone (and us) asking about their parents. What we (and everyone) are led to believe all the time, is the explanation that is easiest accepted by everyone asking for details. Their behavior does not change after the revelation about their true relationship. But of course it changes our view on the situation drastically from that moment on.
The film ends when the skiing season is nearly over, and all tourists are about to leave. Unclear remains what their income will be as of this day. We see them in a ski lift: Simon is going up and she is going down. Does this mean anything? A pointer? Seems like a deliberate open ending, and I must admit that I cannot think of a better way to wrap up this story.
All in all, Simon is the real main character, and he certainly is a person to get involved in. We follow him closely on his "job", feel with the risky situations he finds himself in, just as we are happy with each of his narrow escapes. Though the "sister" keeps annoying me all the time, she is the second main character who is also very well portrayed. Though we see many other characters appear, all of them are mere side roles. Nevertheless, they are also performing very well in their assigned roles.
I especially admire the role of 12-year old Simon, who shows versatility, skills and experience in his daily "job" of stealing ski's and related material from well-to-do tourists in the ski resort, in order to re-sell it later on to less wealthy people in the village. He acts as a real professional, and knows everything there is to know about equipment brands and related market prices.
The "sister" role, on the other hand, gets a bit on my nerves. She is utterly useless in earning a living, nor is she capable of running an orderly household. She's easily distracted when a man (any man) is around, and often leaving in the company of a lover, each time a different one. I'm not completely sure how to characterize her way of living together with Simon as either symbiotic or parasitic.
Halfway the movie it turns out that the relationship between Simon and his "sister" is completely different from what he tells everyone (and us) asking about their parents. What we (and everyone) are led to believe all the time, is the explanation that is easiest accepted by everyone asking for details. Their behavior does not change after the revelation about their true relationship. But of course it changes our view on the situation drastically from that moment on.
The film ends when the skiing season is nearly over, and all tourists are about to leave. Unclear remains what their income will be as of this day. We see them in a ski lift: Simon is going up and she is going down. Does this mean anything? A pointer? Seems like a deliberate open ending, and I must admit that I cannot think of a better way to wrap up this story.
All in all, Simon is the real main character, and he certainly is a person to get involved in. We follow him closely on his "job", feel with the risky situations he finds himself in, just as we are happy with each of his narrow escapes. Though the "sister" keeps annoying me all the time, she is the second main character who is also very well portrayed. Though we see many other characters appear, all of them are mere side roles. Nevertheless, they are also performing very well in their assigned roles.