Tough Love (2015 film)


Tough Love is a 2015 German drama film directed by Rosa von Praunheim and starring Hanno Koffler.
The film tells the story of Andreas Marquardt who was sexually abused by his mother as a boy, became a karate champion and later a pimp. It was screened in the Panorama section of the 65th Berlin International Film Festival where it won the 3rd place prize in the Panoroma Audience Award.

Plot

As a little boy Andy is severely mistreated by his father until the man leaves the small family for good. Left alone with her son, the mother forces Andy into incestuous acts. At the age of eight, Andy feels drawn to Japanese martial arts and begins to train on a daily basis. Unlike his familial situation, his dojo provides the security of a reliable hierarchy where he can thrive. His recklessness and his achievements as a tournament fighter assure him the attention of the local underworld. Lacking alternatives he accepts an opportunity to work as a racketeer. More than one pretty young girl is infatuated with his rugged charm. He takes advantage of their feelings by running a prosperous side business as a pimp until a girl named Hannah says something that reminds him of his abusive mother. Overwhelmed by anger he beats her badly and finds himself behind bars. Marion, one of his lovers, remains faithful. With her he opens up to a woman for the first time and that enables him to tell a therapist the secrets of his troubled childhood. Following his release he becomes Marion's faithful companion.

Cast

British film critic Joe Manners Lewis evaluated the film plot as "interesting" but he also stressed that von Praunheim's adaptation occasionally looked more like a documental reconstruction than like artistic cinema.