Allein

Maria (Lavinia Wilson in a very demanding role) has a screw loose. That is not visible on the outside, and at first it is not even noticeable. She has a respectable job in a university library and also looks respectable, yes, even a little prim. But under her apparent iciness, Maria has untamable feelings. A wildness bordering on insanity. In psychiatric terms, she is a borderline; she is unable to establish any boundaries. The respectable girl succumbs to drugs, alcohol and sex. Especially sex, and not the prim kind. She seems to seek affection, but her contacts always end up in excesses. One-night stands follow each other in rapid succession, but nothing sticks or offers any warmth. Only the older man Wolfgang seems able to tame her, but for this, she pays the price of total subservience. One day, the biology student Jan appears in Maria’s life. He is different, perhaps a bit naive. He is also warm and patient, and he doesn’t walk away when Maria blows her top. That’s why Jan can’t be allowed to know everything. That’s why she keeps her shady side hidden from him. Allein, just as tightly stylised as the way in which Maria hides her abnormalities, has many moments that could have been uneasy or sensational, but the debutant director chose for the greatest possible restraint. And with good results. (GjZ)