"Backstory" is a German live action short film from 2016 that received some solid awards attention. This one is in the English language though and runs for 8 minutes and 1.5 approximately of these are closing credits, so it really isn't a particularly long film we have here by any means. The writer and director is Joschka Laukeninks and this is the 4th (short) film work of his career and not the first one in English. Looking at the success, it could very well happen we soon see him in charge of full feature films. The fact that we see the protagonist's back only throughout this one most of the time is a little play on words when it comes to the title. The film starts with the first memory of the man/boy and ends with his last breath and the most beautiful memories he has from his life. Early on he struggles with his family, parents' divorce etc. then during his wild years there is partying going on, drugs and sex until he finally finds the woman of his dreams, they marry and start a family, he becomes a dad. But tragedy strikes and he is alone again having nothing but his memories. Well his job too. He does not stay alone, marries again, but gets divorced and the right one for him this one was not. Actually she may be gone forever. Then he grows old and his health deteriorates until final days. This is the movie in a nutshell. Life in a nutshell you could say the way it looks for many people out there for sure. As for the cast here, I only know Assenza. Main character is played by Jan Stapelfeldt and looking at his daily soap opera past, maybe not the best choice, but yeah he does not really have to do anything except walk around and have the director show us his back. The supporting players got more to act here to be honest. Narrator is prolific actor Philipp Moog. I don't know him either, but he did a fine job here, maybe the best aspect about the film. I liked the watch all in all, even if it is not an uplifting film by any means, which is even more depressing taking into account how real and Max Mustermann it feels. Oh well, it's a thumbs-up for me. Go watch it.
Review of Backstory
