The True Story of Men and Women

Eva, Charlotte, Gudrun and Mascha have had enough of their marriages. They leave their men and move into a fortress.like house with their common therapist Karla. Together the women begin the search for the ideal man. They ask themselves what it is that all women have been looking for,
for such a long time. But their ex-husbands don't give up. They have to find out why they were abandoned. Like so many of van Ackeren's films The True Story of Men and Women is about strong women and men that are not quite as strong.
Comment
Robert van Ackeren's new, spectacular film The True Story of Men and Women is astonishing and fascinating. It will probably be shocking to some people as well. This is in line with his earlier films, whose ironic immediacy have found enthusiastic audiences both in Germany and internationally. The True Story of Men and Women is a typical van Ackeren film; a morally ambiguos comedy about the inflamed situations that come up in the relationship between men and women.
Robert van Ackeren's portrayal of these men and women is ironic and satirical, but also affectionate. He makes the audience identify with the characters and take a stand. This movie will not leave anyone, man nor woman, unmoved and it will surely trigger off a fierce debate.
One of the women of the film is portrayed by Sonja Kirchberger, who we have seen in The Venus Trap. Here she is severe, sexy, beautiful and changeable. The newly discovered Gudrun Gabriel's excellent acting is especially fascinating and noteworthy.
The True Story of Men and Women is a sophisticated comedy about love, illusions and longing and about the attempts at making oneself at ease in the jungle of modern relationships. The surprisingly happy ending is really an ending for the 90's.
Christine Heller