The Forest for the Trees (2003)

Synopsis of The Forest for the Trees

A recent college graduate on her first teaching assignment finds her initial optimism quickly dashed due to the indifference of her students and the bitter cynicism of her fellow educators. Melanie (Eva Löbau) is a fresh-faced teacher who's eager to get in the classroom and share her enthusiasm for learning, but in order to get her career off the ground she'll first have to leave all of her loved ones in the country and establish herself in the city. Despite being exceptionally well-read on all the latest educational theory, however, Melanie quickly finds herself caught up in a hopeless wave of loneliness after arriving at the high school and getting a harsh dose of reality; not only are her students more unruly than she could have ever imagined, but the worn-down staffers seem intent on ensuring that she is dragged directly down to their level of misery and general malaise. Later, Melanie attempts to strike up a relationship with her neighbor Tina (Daniela Holtz), only to find herself unable to abide by the strict social codes of her strange new surroundings. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:

81 mins

Director(s):

Maren Ade

Writer(s):

Maren Ade

Producer(s):

Janine Jackowski Dop, Nikolai Von Graevenitz, Janine Jackowski

• 2005 - Sundance Film Festival - Special Jury Prize

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