Watch The Culpable

The Culpable is a German drama film directed by Gerd Schneider that was released in 2015. It revolves around the story of two priests - Jakob and Dominik - who are called to a juvenile detention center in order to provide psychological support to offenders. The movie begins with Jakob, played by Hartmut Becker, arriving at the detention center to meet Dominik, played by George Tounas. Jakob is a veteran priest who has spent most of his career counseling criminals, whereas Dominik is a young priest who has just started his career. They are assigned to a 19-year-old boy named Benjamin, played by Levin Liam, who has committed a serious crime that has left a young woman in a vegetative state. Benjamin is aloof and initially resistant to any kind of counseling, but as the sessions progress, he begins to open up to the priests and reveal his troubled past.

Jakob and Dominik are pulled into a moral dilemma when they discover that Benjamin is not the only person responsible for the crime - his friend is equally culpable. The priests are torn between their duty to ensure that justice is served and their obligation to maintain the confidentiality of a confession. As they grapple with their conscience, they find themselves at odds with each other - Jakob believes that they should reveal the truth, whereas Dominik insists on maintaining the sanctity of confession.

Sandra Borgmann plays the role of a prison psychologist who is skeptical of the priests' methods and tries to distance them from the case. As tensions run high, the priests struggle to reconcile their faith with their sense of justice, and the lines between right and wrong become increasingly blurred.

The Culpable is a powerful film that delves into complex ethical questions and explores the role of religion in modern society. It raises important questions about the limits of confidentiality, the nature of redemption and forgiveness, and the moral responsibilities of individuals in positions of power. The performances of the main cast are exceptional, particularly that of Levin Liam, who gives a nuanced and heartbreaking portrayal of a young man struggling with guilt and remorse.

The film is shot in a stark and minimalist style, with long takes and minimal dialogue. The starkness of the visuals and the limited use of music create a sense of tension that pervades the entire film, making it both gripping and deeply unsettling.

In conclusion, The Culpable is a thought-provoking and intense drama that offers an unflinching examination of the nature of sin and redemption. It is a film that challenges its audience to question their own beliefs and values, and it is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who watches it.