In this road movie, love is born at a snail pace

Jan and Jule get to know each other better in the caravan. (Photo: Filmcoopi)

Usually, love stories at the movies always follow the same pattern. Two people know each other, two, three scenes later, they end up together in the box. Then a fateful event puts the two to the test or separates them involuntarily. In the least case, these scripts have something to do with reality.

A more realistic form of a love story is brought to the cinema by director Hans Weingartner, who grew up in Feldkirch ("The beautiful years are over"). With his band "303" he shows that love has much more to do with communication and time and less with the famous look and Hollywood speed.

The plot itself is simple, but smart and true to life. The 24-year-old student in biology Jule, played by Mala Emde, wants to drive with a motorhome Mercedes Hymer 303, hence the name of the film, from Berlin to his friend Alex in Portugal, where he writes his dissertation . Jule thinks she's been pregnant for a few weeks, Alex still does not know anything. At a stop near Berlin, Jule meets Jan, a student of the same age, played by Anton Spieker. Jan wants to go to Spain to meet his biological father, whom he has never met. Jule takes him as a hitchhiker in his motorhome.

3000 kilometers, 3000 views, 3000 thoughts

During the trip together, to 3,000 kilometers from Berlin via Belgium, France, Portugal and Spain, young people are increasingly immersed in philosophical discussions with thousands of thoughts. They deeply reflect the meaning of life and the nature of man. They discuss capitalism and socialism, love and partner choice. The basic essence is what a better world might look like.

While Jule believes in romantic love and cooperation of people, Jan sees man more as a creature in constant competition with others. "It starts with children crossing a meadow, one wants to be faster than the other." Since Jule has a boyfriend, both are desperately trying not to fall in love with each other. one of the other. A project that ultimately fails.

Authentic Actors and Natural Language

Weingartner's film authentically describes the introductory phase of two people. The magic moment before the first kiss, the crackling and uncertainty of how to confess love to each other. That's why the movie is so realistic. "303" is an intelligent and philosophical road movie that celebrates slowness. As a spectator, you want to roam the countryside at a leisurely pace, even with a vintage motorhome. This is the slowness of the motorhome and the love even slower and cautious between the two.

As a spectator, we forget for the 145 minutes that Jule and Jan are actually actors. Their heated debates are so spontaneous and sincere. Sometimes the discussions even seem a bit too ripe for the life experience of 24 year olds. This is because the author Weingartner, 47 years old, has worked more than 20 years on the philosophical thinking of the screenplay.