Kiss My Wounds (2022) by Hanna Doose: The Lingering Pain of a Past Unresolved

Short Summary: A Reckoning in the Black Forest After years of silence, two former best friends, Maria and Laura, are brought together by a tragic event: the death of their mutual friend, Kathi. Their reunion in the Black Forest reignites old wounds, particularly the betrayal of Maria by her ex-lover, Jan, who is now with Laura. As they navigate their grief and long-suppressed resentments, they are forced to confront their past and their shared pain.Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14164148/

About movie: https://www.domar-film.de/kuessen

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/kiss-my-wounds (US), https://www.justwatch.com/au/movie/kiss-my-wounds (Australia), https://www.justwatch.com/de/Film/wann-kommst-du-meine-wunden-kuessen (Germany), https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/kiss-my-wounds (UK)

Detailed Summary: When Old Friends Become Strangers

• The film centers on Maria, a life-hungry director who returns to the farm in the Black Forest where her friends and former lovers have retreated from their lives in Berlin's arts and nightlife scene.

• She is there to mourn the death of her friend, Kathi. Upon her arrival, she is confronted by Laura, her former best friend, who is now in a relationship with Jan, the man who cheated on Maria with Laura years ago.

• The film becomes a tense chamber drama as the carefully repressed conflicts and emotional baggage between the characters come to the surface. Old jealousies, resentments, and unresolved feelings are exposed.

• As the film progresses, the group is forced to confront the harsh realities of their lives, their shattered dreams, and the loneliness that has set in. The film is a raw and honest portrayal of what happens when a long-standing friendship is torn apart by love and betrayal.

Director's Vision: Emotional Repression and Improvised Realism

• Hanna Doose's vision was to create a "tragicomedy" that explores shattered dreams, loneliness, and the healing power of deep friendship. She aimed to create an intimate chamber drama that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable.

• Doose utilized improvisation as a key acting technique, which gives the film a raw, natural, and realistic feel. The dialogue and character interactions feel authentic and unscripted.

• The film's aesthetic is a study in contrasts. It opens with "extraordinary, expansive images" of the Black Forest, which then give way to a more intimate and contained drama. This visual journey from the wide, open spaces to the close-knit, claustrophobic setting of the farm mirrors the characters' emotional journey.

• Doose's previous work, which also uses improvisation, suggests a director who is interested in the raw, messy reality of human emotion and relationships. Kiss My Wounds is a continuation of this artistic approach.

Themes: The Pain of Growing Up and Apart

• The Healing Power of Friendship: At its core, the film is about the enduring and, at times, painful bonds of friendship. While the film is full of conflict and betrayal, it ultimately suggests that true friendship has the power to heal old wounds.

• Shattered Dreams and Midlife Crisis: The film explores the universal experience of growing older and realizing that life hasn't turned out the way you had hoped. The characters are confronted with their stagnant careers, their failed relationships, and their hidden longings, giving the film a sense of melancholic realism.

• The Consequences of Betrayal: A central theme of the film is the long-lasting pain of betrayal. Maria's arrival forces everyone to confront the deep emotional wounds left by Jan's cheating and Laura's betrayal of her best friend.

• The Power of the Past: The film is a powerful reminder that the past, no matter how much we try to repress it, always comes back to haunt us. The characters' unresolved issues, which have festered for years, erupt in a storm of emotion, proving that you can't simply move on without first confronting your pain.

Key Success Factors: A Character-Focused Approach

• Powerful Performances: The film's success is largely attributed to the powerful performances of the cast, who bring a raw and natural feel to their characters, which is a result of Doose's use of improvisation. The cast is able to convey a sense of genuine history and shared pain, making the central conflict believable.

• Intimate and Personal Script: The script, co-written by Hanna Doose and Birgit Maiwald, is a key success factor. It is a dialogue-driven film that is both funny and tragic, creating a nuanced and complex portrayal of human relationships.

• Authentic Direction: Hanna Doose's direction, particularly her use of improvisation, is praised for creating a film that feels authentic and unscripted. The film's ability to create a "symphony of emotional repression" is a testament to her confident and agile directing style.

Awards & Nominations: Audience Acclaim and Festival Recognition Kiss My Wounds won the Audience Award at the Filmfest München 2022. It was also selected for the Max Ophüls Film Festival and the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.

Critics Reception: A Nuanced and Confident Drama

• UCM.ONE: Described the film as a "tragic-comic film about shattered life dreams, painful love, loneliness and hidden longings." The review praised the film's ability to balance its dark themes with humor, calling it an "intricate work of great confidence." It also highlighted the film's exploration of techno, art, and existential fears.

• Cineuropa: This review praised the film's ability to explore the painful dynamics of old friends reuniting. It called the film a "partly comical, partly tragic" story where "the masks come off." The review noted that the film's screenplay, co-written by Doose, was a key strength.

Overall Summary: Critical reception for Kiss My Wounds is largely positive, with critics highlighting the film's powerful performances, its authentic feel, and its nuanced exploration of complex human emotions. The film is seen as a confident and mature work by a director who knows how to blend humor and tragedy to create a deeply personal and relatable story.

Reviews: An Emotional and Authentic Experience

• The Goethe-Institut Hong Kong: This review praised the film's use of improvisation, stating that it "returns in Hanna Doose's second feature film." It highlighted the central conflict between the two former best friends and the emotional eruption that occurs when they meet again.

• MUBI: This review also noted the film's tragicomedy genre and its use of improvisation. It praised the film for its ability to create a deeply emotional and compelling story, even within the confines of a limited location.

Overall Summary: Reviews consistently praise the film for its authentic and emotional tone. The use of improvisation is a key talking point, with many reviewers highlighting how it contributes to the film's raw and realistic feel. The film is seen as a thoughtful and well-executed character study.

Why to watch this movie: A Raw and Relatable Human Drama

• Authentic and Improvised Acting: If you appreciate films with a raw, naturalistic feel, this film's use of improvisation and the resulting powerful performances are a major draw.

• A Nuanced Character Study: The film is a great watch for anyone who enjoys character-driven dramas. It offers a complex and honest look at human relationships, their triumphs, and their failures.

• A Thought-Provoking Story: The film tackles universal themes of friendship, betrayal, and unfulfilled dreams in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Movie Trend: The Return of the Chamber Drama Kiss My Wounds is part of a trend of films that are forgoing big-budget special effects and large-scale locations in favor of a more intimate and contained "chamber drama." These films rely on strong acting, sharp dialogue, and a compelling central conflict to create a powerful cinematic experience.

Social Trend: Confronting Unresolved Emotional Trauma The film taps into the social trend of a greater willingness to discuss and confront emotional trauma and unresolved issues. In an age where mental health and emotional honesty are becoming more prominent, this film's portrayal of characters who are forced to face their past head-on is highly relevant.

Final Verdict: A Poignant and Confident Work Kiss My Wounds is a confident and mature film that uses an authentic and improvised style to create a deeply moving and relatable story. It is a powerful reminder that old wounds, when left untreated, can still cause significant pain. The film is a successful blend of tragedy and comedy, and it's a testament to the power of strong acting and a well-crafted, character-driven script. It is a highly recommended watch for anyone who appreciates a raw and honest portrayal of human relationships.