a better drug
by Douglas Messerli
Roman Ilyushenko Violine (Violin)
/ 2012 [12 minutes]
The German film Violin is another
example of the films I have been describing as sexual teases.
In
this 12-minute work, directed by Roman Ilyushenko, a young lonely violinist,
Oli (Johannes Huth), is visited, fresh out of the shower, by his “drug dealer,”
Jan (Hannes Sell) or a boy who you might more generously describe as his local
source for pot.
Given that Oli’s just out the shower and dressed in a bath towel, the
film gives Jan the chance to case out the place, creating a scenario which Oli
doesn’t deny, that he lives in the lovely apartment most of the time alone, his
parents spending their time traveling.
But before long, the gentle responses of Oli, who plays a couple of
short passages for him and encourages him to even try the violin out for
himself, bring out what seems to be a far more curious and engaged person. And
as Oli moves around behind him, showing him how to make a chord with his
fingers while helping to bow the instrument, the scene turns briefly in a
romantic moment, as Jan drops his hand to rub it just above the other’s waist,
and a moment later is kissing Oli’s neck and ear that promises a highly erotic
love scene.
Jan’s phone rings and he’s off for another meet-up, leaving Oli with
nearly an open mouth, empty, and lonely once again. “How much do I owe you?” he
asks. This time it’s on the house.
We
can only hope that Oli quickly uses up the remainder of his bag, calls up his
pot-dealing friend for more of the better drug he’s just experienced, and gets
down to business before any further interruptive calls.
Other than some beautiful film stills, Violin doesn’t really have
much else to offer.
Los Angeles, August 5, 2023
Reprinted from World Cinema Review (August
2023).
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