Writer-director Emily Manthei makes her feature-length debut with Berlin Loop. The sci-fi dramatic revenge tale follows Fatima (Derya Akyol), a young woman barely surviving in Berlin. She has a dead-end job as a cleaning lady. One day, in need of money, Fatima steals a bike and sells it for $800. But this incident catches the eye of Windisch (Thilo Herrmann), the head of the underground bicycle mafia. He makes her a generous offer to steal bikes for him, but soon stiffs her on pay.
Fatima can somehow travel back in time and gather everything she needs to outwit Windisch. During her revenge, the lady discovers several people who need her help. Will Fatima use her time travel to help the forgotten citizens of Berlin have a voice? How is she able to go back in time? What is Fatima truly looking for out of life?
Berlin Loop sets itself apart from typical time-loop narratives because the lead can control it (to some extent). Fatima doesn’t fall asleep and wake up on the same day over and over. While seemingly a little change, it adds tension because the audience is never sure which incidents will send her back. It certainly helps that the story is fascinating and Fatima is engaging; not likable exactly, but relatable and realistic. Plus, the ending is pretty perfect in every way.
“Fatima can somehow travel back in time and gather everything she needs to outwit Windisch.”
Akyol is simply swell in her first feature-length title. She’s badass, funny, crazy, and intense. There is genuine pathos when she tells her only friend that she messed up royally. Herrmann is a little scary and a little goofy, which works well. Josephine Boog, as Fatima’s social worker (maybe?), keeps the drama grounded, even amid the heavier sci-fi elements. But really, no one turns in a poor performance at all.
Manthei directs with confidence, certain that audiences will follow each track laid down by her script. The use of color, particularly green and orange, is especially striking. The way she and director of photography Stephanie Hardt visualize the time jumps is just plain cool. The freedom of the camera during the first bike ride is thrilling and instantly captures all those watching.
Berlin Loop is doing a lot with its plotting and characterization. But Manthei makes it all seem effortless and fun and thrilling; in her first feature, to boot. Akyol is charming and clever throughout the speedy 87-minute runtime. This is a daring and original film told with lots of energy and style. What more could any cinephile ask for?
"…Manthei makes it all seem effortless..."
