Submarino

Not yet out of elementary school, Nick and his younger brother have already been hardened by poverty, abuse and alcohol. But these two tough boys still find joy in their newborn baby brother. They gladly make up for the shortcomings of their neglectful alcoholic mother and give the infant the loving care which all children deserve. Although shortlived, this glimmer of hope will haunt them well into adulthood...

It’s winter and 30-something Nick is living alone in a gloomy tenement shelter. Moody and anguished, Nick has difficulty controlling his anger. His inability to reach out and reconnect with his brother only makes him angrier. When lifting weights can no longer hold back the painful memories and loneliness, Nick turns to the strongest beer that he can afford. Unable to achieve intimacy with neighbor Sofie, Nick has reduced the faded beauty to the role of giver of empty blowjobs. Beneath her forced smile and optimism lies an unmistakable sadness. Love or regaining custody of her young son could possibly save her, but for now she too is sentenced to solitude and alcohol. Nick communicates more easily with his ex-girlfriend’s brother Ivan. He opens up about having been recently released from prison for his brutal random violence when Ana broke up with him two years ago. Nick has a soft spot for sex-obsessed overweight Ivan, down-and-out himself and in need of mental help. But Nick’s compassion misjudges the reality of Ivan’s illness...

Nothing is more important to Nick’s brother than his six-year-old son Martin. No matter how much he loves his son, being a responsible father isn’t easy for a junkie. Despite the fact that he could lose custody of Martin any day now, Martin’s father will usually buy heroin before food. When Martin’s father inherits money after his mother’s death, the refrigerator becomes full again. But Martin’s father uses the money to deal drugs himself. Although he has convinced himself that he did it for his son, the risky endeavor results in a painful separation from little Martin...

Nick and his brother have spent their lives trying to love, trying to forget, trying to understand. The brothers will soon get their chance to reconnect and to finally realize that they’re not to blame for everything. (Verleiher-Text)