Victoria (2015)

Synopsis: A young Spanish woman who has newly moved to Berlin finds her flirtation with a local guy turn potentially deadly as their night out with his friends reveals a dangerous secret. -IMDb.com

Director: Sebastian Schipper (W, M)

Writers: Sebastian Schipper (W, M), Olivia Neergaard-Holm (W)

Stars: Laia Costa (W), Frederick Lau (W, M), Franz Rogowski (W, M)

Ambitious and impressive, this movie was filmed in a single shot, and although that could be seen as a gimmick, it only adds to the tension. Imagine more theatre than film and you’ll be on the right track.

This is another story in which the female protagonist has little to no interaction with other female characters. This isolation is enhanced by her being Spanish surrounded by Germans in Berlin, and is exacerbated by her obvious naïvety. I think we spent the full 2hrs 18mins of this film on the edge of our seats making little whimpers of concern.

Despite this, it was immensely enjoyable to watch. Due to the fact that the film is made in a single shot, I really enjoyed knowing that when Victoria tells us she is off to bed, we know that can’t be and that something will occur to keep her awake and on-screen.

Laia Costa is impeccable as Victoria, a character who we are trapped inside for the movie, like a wayward rollercoaster car. Victoria is three dimensional and intriguing and is exactly the kind of female protagonist that men will have no problem identifying with… because she’s human.

Tip: You won’t want to watch this when you’re half asleep or feeling a bit down (it’s hardly a pick-me-up). Gird your loins for a fast-paced drama with precision german engineering.