Bandits

Six out of ten directors these days use music-video techniques in narrative film, and most of them in a hackneyed way, but in Bandits Katja von Garnier shows them how it should be done. Utilizing the kinetic energy of music-video techniques but blending them seamlessly with charged cinematic storytelling, a crackling script, and uniformly good acting, von Garnier's film is a playful and satisfying journey, one of the few rock-band stories to have held my gaze.The movie's first asset is its diverse lead characters: Jasmin Tabatabai is electrifying as loose cannon Luna, while also having penned most of the songs on the soundtrack. During the music-video sequences, which are so expertly edited and nicely timed in the film so they don't seem jarring at all, she becomes a rock goddess, while also holding her own with comic timing and during the more sensitive sequences. Katja Riemann is great as brainy, middle-aged drummer Emma, and when Emma and Luna share their heart-to-heart on the street after Luna's drunken binge, it's the most beautiful moment in the film, where von Garnier reins in her camera and lets the actors breathe. Not-too-bright, vulnerable bassist Angel (Nicolette Krebitz) and melancholy keyboardist Marie (Jutta Hoffman) round out the band, helping to provide shades, diversity and tension.The music itself isn't for everybody, but the sheer diversity of styles incorporated in this movie is refreshing: From hard rock to riot-grrl punk, from girl pop to acoustic folk, from blues to a lounge act (destined to go bad, L7 style) -- though it's not perfect music, it fits the tone of the movie perfectly, augmented by the fact that it *is* written and performed by the Bandits of the movie (aside from covers).In the end, like Run Lola Run, Bandits negotiates its stylistic innovations such as disrupted time (absolutely brilliant editing by Hans Funck), dramatic ellipses and "invisible" payoffs with a sense of fun and moments of true catharsis to make a grandly enjoyable whole.

To bad I was not well informed in my youth!!! This movie was phenominal! Not only was the plot very well paced but the music was incredible (I bought the soundtrack too!). What I found interesting that the movie was done in German and was subtitled in English but ALL of the songs were done in English. What I also found surprising is that all the songs were done by the actresses and they WERE NOT AND NEVER WERE A GROUP! They could have been a very, very GOOD all girl rock band! Do an IMBD search of Bandits to get a synopsis of the plot and all I can say is GET THE MOVIE and find the soundtrack if you can!

If you like world cinema or musicals, you might like this. It's full of girl power and feminism. The story is unrealistic but if you look at it as a musical you could consider it a fantasy film. I enjoyed it, very different from Hollywood films.

How about a modern version of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in Germany. This movie has the best soundtrack ever. Don't let the sub-titling scare you away from this movie. The songs are all in English and the acting is so superb that the German dialog is secondary. Excellent cinematography and editing. Some reviews of this movie make a comparison to the Spice Girls. This couldn't be further from the truth. These girls have a rough edge and real look. You'll see through their grit, and fall in love with them. Be sure to crank up the volume about five notches.

A chick flick made by a chick, that, of course( shockingly) portrayed the male characters as either dorks, dicks or dweebs. And this guy loved every minute! Perfect date night video.

It's a good story made by germans. One of my favorite film, good songs a nice chicks. The dvd was ok for a low price.

nice!!!

Great movie

Saw in cinema in Hamburg in '97. Great film with Great Cover of Hobart Paving! Why isn't this on BluRay?

,Ich habe diesen Film vor Jahren mal im Kino gesehen und weil ich ihn so gut fand, nochmal per DVD gekauft.Eine sehr spannende, emotionale und auch musikalisch begleitete Geschichte von 4 Frauen, die sich im Knast eine Band gründen und bei einer Resozialisierungsmassnahme mit einem Auftritt die Flucht ergreifen. Jede der einzelnen Frauen hat eigene persönliche Geschichte, die sehr präzise und dargestellt wird. Der Film handelt von der Flucht der 4 Frauen, die es auf unglaublicher Art und Weise schaffen, während ihrer Flucht Ihre Musik in der Öffentlichkeit zu spielen und zu singen.Finde diesen Film sehr ergreifend und auch mit tollen Liedern der Band untermalt.Schade, dass er so ein trauriges Ende nahm ....

Ein Klassiker ohne Gleichen! Leicht und Locker in die 80'er/90'ger mit Witz und viel Charme;-)Ganz klar,eine EMPFEHLUNGJ.E

Dieser Film ist leider völlig unterschätzt - bzw die meisten kennen ihn gar nicht. Ein super Road Movie mit toller Besetzung und Klasse Musik - endlich habe ich ihn auf DVD eines meiner Lieblings Zitate : Der Tod dauert das ganze Leben und hört wahrscheinlich auf wenn er eintrittt ...

Qualität recht ok auch im Blue Ray Player. Story mit Hintergrund und die Musik, die von den Schauspielerinnen selbst gesungen und gespielt wird ist mitreißend. Klasse Film. Ein Stern Abzug da nicht als BlueRay zu bekommen...