Places in the Sun

The Film is all about the deep longing for light, love—and a somewhat functional (love) life. Unfortunately, however, the universe has reserved a spot in the shade for the characters. At the center is the ambitious aspiring writer Sam (Julia Windischbauer), who, after professional and personal setbacks, ends up at the family vacation home in Lanzarote with her brother Frederick (Jeremias Meyer). Here, they plan to soak up some vitamin D and take a break from their chaotic daily lives. At first, it sounds like a wellness vacation… but it turns into an emotional boot camp when the siblings discover that their father, Jo (Niels Borman), has secretly moved into the vacation home he lost in the divorce. When his resolute ex-wife, their mother Sybille (Juliane Köhler), arrives with her younger lover (Jeremy Mockridge), the passive-aggressive war of the roses picks up speed again... "Aaron Arens’ feature film debut, radiates tremendous energy in every minute, and all without the usual vacation panorama shots. This is due, on the one hand, to the sharp-witted dialogue, brimming with wit and esprit, which sends lines flying back and forth like little verbal poison darts. And on the other hand, to the magnificent ensemble, which simply harmonizes wonderfully with one another. [...] In addition, the barren landscape of Lanzarote, captured so masterfully by the camera, serves as the perfect backdrop for this tragicomic and wonderfully refreshing film, in which even a quail plays a crucial supporting role by the end." (FBW - Jury Statement - Rating: particularly valuable)