There’s nothing most of us like more than a good adventure. One which tasks the mind and body while offering the prospect of treasure at the end of the quest. Whilst initially becoming popular in literature, it’s a notion which has gamely spread into television, video games and films. The obvious examples are Indiana Jones and Laura Croft, but adventurers come in all shapes and sizes. In Night Forest, our brave explorers are teenagers.
Paul’s (Levi Eisenblätter) father is a little on the eccentric side. When he gets an idea in his head, he cannot shake it off. Even if that leads to negative consequences. Or at least he was. He hasn’t been seen for a year after deciding to prove that a cave system exists and is now presumed dead. This is something Paul just can’t accept, so he heads off into the forest of the Swabian Alb with his best friend Max (Jonas Oeßel) to uncover the truth.
Night Forest is an adolescent adventure wrapped-up in a tale about grief. While the relationship between the two boys is at the heart of Andre Hörmann’s drama, it’s much more than that. A twelve-year-old trying to put the past to bed so he can get on with his life. The acting is decent and there is some really magical cinematography along the way. Night Forest is a coming-of-age film which takes a bereaved son on a journey of discovery.
Night Forest screens at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.
