DVD Review : Christiane F.

Somewhat of a departure from the usual anime fare that we get at TranZfusion, but no less compelling.

Christiane F. is the true story of a 14 year old girl who falls into desperate world of heroin addiction during the 70s in Germany.

We are easily swept up in her stark reality because Christiane is played by a girl of the same age who is all limbs and awkwardness. This level of connection is kept up by the unwavering portrayals of drug use, their effects and the lengths that addicts will go to get their next hit.

It is easy to see why this was banned in the 70s, its frank depiction of heroine is hard to stomach even in our enlightened times. When a film depicts something as it really is, why is it that we don't want people to know- However, if it was played to children in junior high then and now it would make them think twice about finishing a Red Bull.

Christiane's decent is more important for teenagers to watch because it shows us the small steps that are made towards dependency, you aren't instantly a drug addict, it is a result of instability at home, location and peers.

When you watch it, make sure it's a nice sunny day outside so you can go for a walk afterwards and think how lucky you are.

3/5

Directed by: Uli Edel
Distributed by: AV Channel
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