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Shifting the Blame

Original title: Schuld sind immer die Anderen
German title: Schuld sind immer die Anderen
Germany, 2012

Director: Lotz, Lars-Gunnar
Production company: FFL Film- und Fernsehlabor
Co-producers: SWR, ARTE, Filmacademy Ludwigsburg
Age recommendation: 15 years and up

Synopsis:
"We respect ourselves and everyone else. We do not hurt anybody ? neither by word nor by action." ? These are two of the many rules in the "Forest House", an open penal institution for juvenile offenders, where Ben, who was imprisoned in a juvenile detention centre due to a number of robberies and grievous bodily harm, is given a unique opportunity for a new beginning. Together with six other young offenders in the family community, he is here to learn social skills, take responsibility for himself and others, and reflect on his past. After initial difficulties, Ben accepts the strict rules of the ?Forest house? because he does not want to go back to prison on no account. But one day, social worker Eva comes back from a cure and Ben recognizes her as one of his victims. He did not only rob her, but also maltreated her severely. Ben has never been shown remorse. Eva, however, does not know he was involved in the brutal attack. And yet she suspects something, first she recognizes one of Ben?s statements, and finally she even finds a hidden photo of her daughter with him. And while Eva is still plagued by her terrible memories, Ben learns what dire consequences this act of violence had for Eva and her family. For the first time in his life, he has a bad conscience.

Festivals:
Saarbrücken 2012, Montreal 2012, Thessaloniki 2012, Sao Paulo 2012, Schlingel Chemnitz 2012, Ciné-Jeune St. Quentin 2013 (awarded), Golden Sparrow Gera/Erfurt 2013, Zlin 2013 (awarded), Cinemagic Belfast 2013, Ale Kino! Poznan 2013

Website: www.schuld-film.de

World sales address/es:
FFL Film- und Fernsehlabor (DE)

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