Let’s be very clear—“This Is Not Berlin” is very much a coming-of-age movie. If you have somehow escaped the seemingly never-ending onslaught of films that explore interchangeable stories about self-discovery, consider yourself lucky. However, if you too have been swept up in this tiresome trend, knowing that Hari Sama’s newest feature fits perfectly within the overstuffed subgenre gives you a clear indication of what to expect.
Set in Mexico City in the late-’80s, “This Is Not Berlin” depicts a landscape buzzing with post-punk rebellion and high schoolers itching for adult excitement. This enthralling, alternative lifestyle soon consumes Carlos (Xabiani Ponce de León) after he is informally adopted by a radical group of free-spirited, raucous artists. Over the course of months, Carlos nosedives into a personal crossroads, finding himself torn between his old life and newfound family, which transforms the boy into a man amidst a world driven by the love of art, sexual fluidity, and drugs.
In all fairness, knowing that the events of “This Is Not Berlin” are derived directly from Sama’s life experiences alter the perception of the film for the better by contributing an additional layer of intimacy and openness onto the pre-existing authenticity exhibited on the screen. In fact, the absence of traditional cinematic appeal functions as a compliment and critique equally. While “This Is Not Berlin” abides by its own rules, choosing to guide viewers down an emotional current as opposed to a traditional narrative pathway, the shortage of momentum and clear intent reduces the audience to passive onlookers instead of active participants.
Akin to most coming-of-age flicks, the pervasively nostalgic focus on youth infects every facet of Sama’s reflection on his years as a teenager in Mexico’s underground nightlife. While insightful, the scenes that serve as a lovingly tailored tour of the aforementioned subculture grow numbingly repetitive, with the film’s focus on the adoration of art existing somewhere between painfully unaware and caustically satirical, although clarification on this subject is never clearly stated. Concurrently, the feature’s themes of alienation, sexuality, and purpose also pass away unanswered.
What makes “This Is Not Berlin” so frustrating is that the film flaunts glimpses of greatness on multiple occasions. Admittedly, the majority of the film’s standout qualities stem from the actors, who are all rather fantastic, and Sama’s direction is inarguably commendable. Moreover, the film’s efforts to craft an invigorating, unique portrayal of adolescence from the perspective of a demographic that many are unfamiliar with is genuinely exciting. And Sama realizes this—the film brims with passion, beams with pride, and sways with an intense desire to shake up the status quo, but fails to divert from mundane tropes that you have likely seen a thousand times, or, better yet, experienced firsthand.
If one factor separates “This Is Not Berlin” from its contemporaries, especially entries that involve punk rock, it is the film’s conviction to its rebellious roots, and while the movie stands steadfast by its defiant principles, Sama never decides whether he wants to warm your heart or inspire you to protest in the streets. Perhaps it’s neither, and “This Is Not Berlin” merely functions as a catalog of one person’s artistic awakening.
Nevertheless, in this day and age, “This Is Not Berlin” cannot simply strive to be good; due to the overwhelming sum of likeminded projects, the film must choose between two options—be great or be interesting. Sadly, “This Is Not Berlin” is neither. Much like its cast of characters, Sama’s sentimental self-portrait champions the discussion of weighty topics but does not add anything worthwhile to the conversation. It simply espouses on such matters to earn respect in the same way edgy teenagers aimlessly quote Nietzsche to set themselves apart from the crowd. Similar to the cringeworthy performance art that wraps itself around the core of the film, “This Is Not Berlin” is emotionally hollow, more than a bit confused, and regrettably forgettable. [C-]