Paule und Julia

A chance encounter between Torsten Löhn and a fourteenyearold criminal laid the foundation for the fresh début Paule and Julia. The rapid opening scene, in which Paule (15) and his younger Bosnian friend Arnel routinely empty a check-out in a department store, sets the tone for the film. Arnel is forced by his cousin’s brother to steal every day. He regularly keeps part of the spoils for his own dream: the reopening of his Grandpa’s bar in Bosnia. Paule helps him: from friendship, boredom or for the kick. During his next binge, Paule steals the handbag from Julia (18). He regrets it, takes the bag back and pursues Julia with gifts. The little rich girl Julia, who was emotionally neglected by her father, finds with Paule the attention and excitement she was lacking. Their clumsy, budding love provides a couple of touching scenes in which the closed Paule slowly blossoms and Julia finds out about a different side of herself. This already doomed relationship is sabotaged by Arnel who sucks both of them down in his problems with his cousin’s gang.The three young actors play credible characters who are visibly yearning for love and shelter. The film, shot like a documentary, has a raw and realistic feel.