System Crasher

Drama/Society, Germany 2019

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She is wild, she is aggressive and unpredictable. Benni's name is actually Bernadette. But don't let anyone call her that! Foster families, residential groups, special school: Benni has already been through Benni has been through it all, and everywhere she goes she gets kicked out again. The outwardly delicate nine year old is now is already what the Youth Welfare Office calls a "system breaker". But Benni doesn't care, because she has only one goal: to live with her mother again! But Bianca is completely overwhelmed with her daughter. The warm-hearted Mrs. Bafané from the youth welfare office threatens to despair. Nobody wants to take Benni in anymore. She is permanently suspended from school. Not even everyday life with her is manageable: Because of traumatic experiences in early childhood, no one is allowed to touch her face. Mrs. Bafané dares a last experiment and hires Micha, an anti-violence trainer for delinquent youths. After initial resistance, Benni gets involved with Micha, and instead of being sent back to the child psychiatric ward, he allows her to spend time together in nature. Three weeks of experiential education without electricity or running water. The time in the forest puts not only Benni, but also Micha to a hard test. The otherwise self-confident man reaches his limits. But he finally succeeds in creating an experience for Benni that she can be proud of, and in finding a real way to connect with her. Back in 'civilization' Benni clings to Micha and wants to stay with him. But Micha has a family of his own and realizes that he is losing his professional distance. When Benni's mother suddenly reappears, things take their own course.
121 min
HD
FSK 12
Audio language:
German
Subtitles:
English

Awards

Bavarian Film Awards 2020 Best Production
Berlin International Film Festival Silver Bear Alfred Bauer Price
German Film Prize Best Movie Best Director Best Actress Beste Actor

More information

Composer:

John Gürtler

Cast:

Helena Zengel (Benni)

Albrecht Schuch (Michael Heller)

Gabriela Maria Schmeide (Mrs. Bafané)

Lisa Hagmeister (Bianca Klaaß)

Melanie Straub (Dr. Schönemann)

Victoria Trauttmansdorff (Silvia)

Maryam Zaree (Elli Heller)

Roland Bonjour (Jens)

Gisa Flake (Lehrerin)

Axel Werner (Bockelmann)

Peter Schneider (Fabio)

Original title:

Systemsprenger

Original language:

German

Format:

1.85:1 HD, Color

Ratings:

FBW-Prädikat „besonders wertvoll“

Age rating:

FSK 12

Audio language:

German

Audio description:

German

Subtitles:

English

Subtitles (SDH):

German