By Christian Zübert
(Hin und weg) By Christian Zübert, Germany, 95 min., 2014, with: Florian David Fitz, Julia Koschitz, Jürgen Vogel, Hannelore Elsner. In German with English subtitles.
"The moving film presents the theme of assisted suicide courageously, candidly and surprisingly without compromising." – Der Spiegel
Belgium, of all places. What's Belgium got besides chocolates and fries? No matter, this year it was Hannes' and Kiki's turn to choose the destination for their annual bike tour with friends. It's only after the tour has begun that Hannes tells his friends that he's suffering from an incurable disease and that the trip will be his last. Equipped with a list of things to do, and aware that nothing will be the same again, they celebrate life as they’ve never done before.
"There have been a lot of narrative features and documentaries made on euthanasia, but “Tour De Force” manages to become a unique and emotionally immersive experience on the subject by sidestepping all of the surrounding political controversy and focusing entirely on the psychological and spiritual effects the practice has on people. It’s a powerful experience that’s remarkably tender and human, equally heartbreaking and life affirming." -Indiewire
"Christian Zübert’s films Hin und weg, a mix of road movie, comedy and melodrama, has the inner structure of a bike tour." – Der Spiegel
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