"Verfehlung" is a German 90-minute movie from 2015. It is the most known work by writer and director Gerd Schneider, but it is also his first full feature film if we don't count a 50-minute documentary from very early in his career. For the latter he received some awards recognition and so did he for this one here. The subject is a very controversial one, namely sexual abuse by priests, but this film is not trying to really be important or make a huge statement with regard to that, just tell the specific story of one priest whose friend is accused of immoral acts. We are basically on the same level of information as the protagonist played by Blomberg from start to finish and this is pretty nice. We know what he knows basically. It is a very bleak and realistic film and I also think that's a positive component here. Maybe it is not too ambitious really, but it is all it wants to be I guess and Blomberg's as well as Schneider's approach is working out well. I think everybody with an interest in this specific subject can check it out, but it is also for everybody else who enjoys a good drama as the church aspect is really not too dominant in here. It is much more about (the loss of) friendship, suspicion and about the unfolding of a personal tragedy that eventually has no winners, just losers. The film is also not really all about if he did it or not, but more about the way the truth unfolds and the impact it has on all the characters. There are emotional and dramatic scenes like the football game or the final meeting between the two friends, but even these never feel for the sake of it. It's solid craftsmanship from start to finish here. Good job by everybody involved and I found it nice to see Blomberg as the undisputed lead in a film for once. I think he is definitely among the more (maybe most) talented actors we have here in Germany when it comes to the age group of 40-49. Check out this film that is also known under the title of "The Culpable", "Was nicht sein darf" and "Die Verantwortlichen".
Review of The Culpable
