Film Review of Yella Directed by Christian Petzoid

Gerald Wright's Movie Coverage

YELLA MOVIE REVIEW

Directed by: Christian Petzoid
Running time: 89 minutes
Release date: May 16, 2008
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Adaptation and Foreign (German with English subtitles)
Distributor: Cinema Guild Release
MPAA Rating: Not rated

This is an absorbing film noir inspired by Herk Harvey's 1962 cult horror classic "Carnival of Souls." In this adaptation, set in modern day Germany, Yella (Nina Hoss) narrowly escapes from her violent and abusive ex-husband Ben (Hinnerk Schonemann) after their car runs off of a bridge into a river. Without haste she leaves her home in former East Germany for a meaningful job and a new life in West Germany. This move is in order to put distance from her ex-husband.

When Yella finds a promising job with a handsome businessman named Phillipp (Devid Striesow) and a love affair begins between the two, her life begins to look good. But just as she seems relaxed, her past and Ben begin to haunt her. The similarity between this film and the 1962 cult classic is the relentless stalking of the female lead character (Yella) by a deranged male character (Ben). However, filmmaker Christian Petzoid's version is more of a suspenseful thriller rather than a horror film.

An overly-eager Ben reveals an immense amount of persistence in his pursuits of Yella, while her relationship with Phillipp deepens. The story intertwines these two stories. Intensity is a key element in the subplot as Ben's business ethics are questioned by Yella. Ben's primary purpose is to swindle his clients out of money for his own agenda. This fascinates Yella as she has an eagerness for wealth.

Yella marks actress Nina Hoss' third collaboration with director Christian Petzoid. She has received numerous acting accolades in film and stage. Her performance is brilliant as she captures this opportunist woman who refuses to surrender herself to poverty and a life of abuse. Devid Striesow's character is quite intelligent. His low-keyed demeanor as Phillipp seems to balance out the devious and sadistic Ben (who Hinnerk Schonemann portrays so well.)

While a lot of today's horror and thriller films rely heavily on special effects, Yella does not. Christian Petzoid's four films range from urban, political and psychological dramas. I found this film to be quite effective. The cinematography added a dreamlike quality that made the concluding scenes unforgettable. Yella's magic lies in its tense atmosphere, crisp photography, and real characters that bring a seductive and daring tale to the silver screen.

FILM RATING (B)