Wetlands

Wetlands is a bold and audacious German movie released in 2013, directed by David Wnendt and based on the novel of the same name by Charlotte Roche. The film features Hellen Memel, an uninhibited and politically incorrect 18-year-old woman portrayed by the charismatic and gifted Carla Juri. Despite the film's gross-out humor and explicit content, it manages to tackle the themes of femininity, adolescence, rebellion, and societal norms with an unexpected degree of depth and sensitivity.

The filmmakers and main actress Carla Juri develop Hellen Memel - the principal protagonist - into an extraordinary character who defies the traditional restrictions placed on women by society. With a mischievous mirth and carefree attitude, she challenges societal norms, especially concerning sexuality and cleanliness, moving against the pervasive narrative of 'hygiene'. Hellen's uninhibited nature, paired with flashes of charisma, endears her to the audience despite her outrageous behaviors.

Christoph Letkowski and Marlen Kruse, who star alongside Carla Juri, deliver impressive performances and manage to capture the attention, curiosity and sometimes, the bewilderment of the viewers. Letkowski plays the role of Robin, a slightly bewildered but well-meaning nurse who tends to Hellen in the hospital following a shaving accident. The chemistry between Letkowski and Juri is palpable and adds an additional layer of intrigue to this unorthodox story. Marlen Kruse plays Corinna, Hellen's best friend, who offers support and shared deviance to create moments of comedic relief amidst the film's uncomfortable scenes.

Although the film's plot is relatively simple, the screenplay, based on Roche's novel, is audaciously provocative, intertwining the elements of sexuality, bodily functions, and personal freedom with an undercurrent of dark humor. What sets Wetlands apart is not its plot, but its execution. David Wnendt, with his distinctive style of filmmaking, portrays the stark realities of human life while pushing the boundaries of comfort, and this eccentricity is what characterizes Wetlands.

The cinematography of Wetlands further contributes to its unique storytelling style. Graphic visual metaphors and animation are used extensively to illustrate and supplement Hellen’s taboo-breaking philosophies and adventurous experiments with her body. This highly stylized approach contributes to the film's quirky, grotesque, yet vulnerable tone. The blend of real-time sequences and dreamlike visuals give the film a sense of a weird dream state - letting the viewers tumble through Hellen's universe, allowing us to explore her thought process and emotions albeit through a disturbing and sensational prism.

The film also explores the concept of family dynamics and disorientation, principally through the troubled relationship between Hellen and her divorced parents. These issues serve as a backdrop to Hellen's rebellious ways, providing a psychological depth to her rebellious behavior. While these elements add emotional intensity to the movie, they also serve as counterpoints to the movie's eccentric humor and controversial scenarios.

But Wetlands is not for the faint-hearted. It openly challenges the taboos associated with topics like menstruation, sex, and feminine hygiene, making it an uncomfortable watch for those with delicate sensibilities. However, underneath this provocative exterior lies a story about the chaotic transition into womanhood, about finding one’s identity, and about confronting personal traumas. It also uses its graphic nature to comment on societal norms, making jubilant attempts to mock, subvert, and shatter them, and as well as the hypocritical tradition of stigmatizing women's bodies.

Wetlands is a love-it-or-hate-it type of movie due to its extreme explicit presentation of otherwise glossed-over and ignored aspects of femininity. But below its seemingly grotesque surface lurks a film that unexpectedly fem-centric, rebellion-themed, and socially subversive. Ultimately, Wetlands might be more accurately described as an exploration of the raw details of femininity, a gritty coming-of-age story, and a bold challenge to societal norms. It is a fearless piece of cinema that uses discomfort to engage the audience in a frank and open discussion about womanhood.