Black Flies

Eine Hommage an aufopferungsvolle Sanitäter für ihren Einsatz in einer psychisch außerordentlich anstrengenden Arbeit. Besonders in New York, wo sie von den Drogensüchtigen und Kriminellen, die sie retten, eher gehasst als wertgeschätzt werden. Mehr Stress und Grauen als in Scorseses Bringing Out the Dead - Nächte der Erinnerung, deren Intensität in jeder Szene maximal gesteigert wird. Die Schauspieler*innen strengen sich an. Eine konstante melancholische Stimmung der Hoffnungslosigkeit, ein nicht nachlassender dramatischer Drive, aber auch eine leichte Oberflächlichkeit und das Übernehmen von Elementen aus anderen Werken. Am besten haben mir die intimen Szenen der Berührungen von nackten Körpern gefallen, die alles heilen, was um sie herum schlecht ist. [Cannes FF] (23.05.2023)

The other side of the dream of saving people’s lives, told from the perspective of a newbie EMT who is assigned to be the partner of an experienced paramedic in New York, but gradually loses not only his initial illusions, but also his own sanity and faith in humanity. Together, they ride in an ambulance to the most difficult cases on the streets of Brooklyn, so they keep company mainly with stabbed drug dealers, victims of shootings and domestic violence, overdosing junkies, decaying corpses and so on. The film deliberately shows only the worst that the EMT (to whom tribute is paid in the closing credits) could experience while on duty in order for him to suffer the psychological consequences of his work. Together with the fierce directing and precise acting performances, this makes the film a rather intense and gripping spectacle. But because of that, Black Flies also comes across as manipulative, an impression that is underscored by its heart-rending climax. (07.10.2023)

My first screening at the Cannes Film Festival and quite a powerful experience. We follow the day-to-day practices of emergency responders in New York City, and how this work affects their mental health and personal lives. The protagonists Ollie (Tye Sheridan) and Gene (Sean Penn) go on all sorts of cases, so we can get a rich idea of the variety and complexity of their calls (from homeless trouble, domestic violence, unwanted help with drug addicts, to street shootings and many more). What rescue workers everywhere have to deal with inspires great admiration in me in general (even on home soil, of course), but I feel like America is on a whole other level. On the one hand, this film is a tribute to these people, but at the same time it shows how terribly unrewarding this work is and how much of a toll it increasingly takes. And then there is the question of the "divine" decision of whether or not it makes sense to save a life in some cases? I don't want to give anything more away, this film is challenging but definitely worth it. I was very impressed by the music by Nicolas Becker and Quentin Sirjacq; and as for the acting performances, Sean Penn is classically very good, but Tye Sheridan leads the way, I found him incredibly good here. [Festival de Cannes 2023] (20.05.2023)

Brutal, chilling, distressing, uncomfortable, dark and very realistic. It's fucking awesome!! It's a bit like End of Watch, but with paramedics and I have to say, I was pretty engrossed. The story is very simple, but luckily here it’s not about the plot. We have the likable Ty Sheridan who starts out as a Rookie paramedic and gets the seasoned veteran Sean Penn as his partner (a decent return!) and the whole movie we watch him go from case to case in the tough city of New York and it is a doozy! From junkies to drug addicts. According to the film, it seems like a very unenviable job where patients fuck you hard, colleagues make pranks putting a dead dog in your locker, you get into very difficult and challenging situations where you sometimes have the opportunity to make life decisions. The brutal atmosphere of New York City is laced with violence through and through. Gunshot victims, heart attacks, dog bites, premature births, gang violence, schizophrenics and victims of domestic violence. Add to that great acting, solid dialogue and some twist and turns! Great stuff. 8/10 (19.04.2024)