Watch Woyzeck

In 2017, a German film called Woyzeck was released, directed by Stephan Littger and starring Thomas Goersch, Julia Csatary, and Dirk Helbig. The movie is an adaptation of a play of the same name by Georg Büchner, which was written in 1836 but not published until 1879. Woyzeck is a story about a poor soldier named Franz Woyzeck, who lives in a small town with his girlfriend Marie and their young child. Woyzeck works odd jobs to make ends meet, but he is constantly struggling to provide for his family. His situation becomes even more desperate when he begins to experience strange visions and hears voices in his head.

As Woyzeck's mental state deteriorates, he becomes more and more paranoid and convinced that everyone is out to get him. His relationship with Marie becomes strained, and he begins to see her as unfaithful and uncaring. Meanwhile, a military doctor conducts experiments on Woyzeck as part of a study to determine the effects of a strict diet on the human body.

The film is shot in black and white, which gives it a stark, bleak feel. The actors give powerful performances, particularly Thomas Goersch as Woyzeck. He is such a sympathetic and tragic character, and Goersch portrays his descent into madness with incredible sensitivity and depth.

The movie explores themes of poverty, alienation, and mental illness. It is an unflinching portrayal of the suffering that can result from living in a society that does not provide for its most vulnerable. The scenes where Woyzeck is subjected to the doctor's experiments are particularly harrowing, and they highlight the ways in which people in positions of power can exploit those who are weaker.

One of the strengths of the film is that it does not offer easy answers or solutions. Woyzeck's story is a tragedy, and his fate is ultimately inescapable. The film highlights the cyclical nature of poverty and the ways in which mental illness can exacerbate social inequality. It is a sobering reminder of the harsh realities that many people face, even in modern times.

Overall, Woyzeck is a haunting and powerful film. It is a faithful adaptation of Büchner's play, but it also has a modern sensibility that makes it relevant to contemporary audiences. The performances are strong, the cinematography is striking, and the themes are profound. It is not an easy movie to watch, but it is an important one.