Breathing (2011)  

Atmen

Directed by: Karl Markovics

Nineteen year-old Roman (Thomas Schubert) divides his time between the juvenile detention centre outside Vienna where he has been held for five years, and day-release jobs that he seems not to want to hold down.  He is withdrawn, uncooperative and sullen, but more fearful than aggressive.  He is shut in by more than walls, and appears to have liitle interest in release.  But with another parole hearing approaching, he takes a job with the municipal undertakers.  

We learn only slowly about Roman’s background gradually, as his undertaker colleagues slowly begin to engage with him.  Unlike many recent dramas, this drip-feeding feels completely natural, because it is aligned with his growing contact with people (the undertakers) who provide a major point of view for the movie.  First-time director 
Markovics and first-time actor Schubert conspire to produce an impressive and affecting film, which is sad and hopeful but never sentimental.