Jonathan (2016)

Jonathan (played by Jannis Niewohner) is a young man grappling with emotional turmoil, residing on a remote farm in rural Germany. His sole responsibility is to care for his ailing father, Burghard (André Hennicke), as his mother has long passed away. With his father's health deteriorating due to cancer, Jonathan, now 24 and an only child, is determined to unveil a closet full of family secrets and concealed truths before they are forever buried. Amidst the turmoil, Jonathan becomes entangled in a passionate and complex relationship with Anka (Julia Koschitz), his father's young nurse. The revelation comes late for Jonathan, as most viewers have likely already deciphered the truth: Burghard is gay but has concealed his sexuality from his son for decades. The film was presented in the Panorama section at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival.

Review:

“Jonathan” is a visually striking debut drama from writer-director Piotr Lewandowski, interweaving a coming-of-age narrative with a coming-out story. It cleverly subverts traditional generational conflicts seen in many gay-themed plots, although it occasionally veers into melodramatic territory. Nevertheless, Lewandowski's inaugural feature is an impressively mature work that promises to secure invitations to various film festivals, particularly those with dedicated LGBT programs. Set for release in German theaters in May, the film holds the potential to resonate with niche audiences in other regions as well.

Plot:

Jonathan has successfully obtained his high school diploma, but his life takes a different trajectory compared to his peers who head to university or embark on internships. Instead, he shoulders the weight of familial responsibilities, caring for his seriously ill father and assisting on his uncle's farm when needed. However, when a man named Ron appears, claiming to be a close childhood friend of Jonathan's father, Jonathan's suspicions are piqued. He begins to suspect that there may be more to the relationship between Ron and his father than meets the eye, transcending the boundaries of mere friendship.