Der Schüler Gerber (1981)
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Directors
Cast
Gabriel Barylli, Werner Kreindl, Romuald Pekny, Paola Loew, Doris Mayer, Eduard Linkers, Rudolf Wessely, Michaela Mock, Nikolaus Kinsky, Florian Böhm
A gifted Viennese student faces a hostile teacher, mounting exam pressure, and an unreturned crush in his final year of school.
The story
Set in Vienna in the 1920s, the story follows Kurt Gerber, a gifted student entering his final year of school. His new homeroom teacher, Professor Kupfer, is arrogant enough to be nicknamed “God Kupfer,” and he soon clashes with the precocious Kurt. As Kupfer teaches two of Kurt’s subjects, their conflict contributes to a sharp decline in Kurt’s grades. Kurt’s father, who has a heart condition, puts intense pressure on him to pass his final exams, while Kurt tries not to trouble him with his school difficulties. Meanwhile, Kurt falls in love with Lisa, who does not return his feelings.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The story is set in Vienna in the 1920s. Kurt Gerber is a gifted student. His final year of school is made difficult by his new homeroom teacher, Professor Kupfer, whom the students call “God Kupfer” because of his arrogant manner. The mathematics teacher quickly clashes with the precocious Kurt. A private psychological war develops between student and teacher. Kurt’s grades in the two subjects Kupfer teaches deteriorate drastically. Kurt’s father, Dr. Albert Gerber, who constantly pressures Kurt to pass his final exams at all costs, also has a heart condition. His son does not want to burden the seriously ill man unnecessarily with his problems. Kurt is left alone to face his difficulties at school. At the same time, he falls in love with Lisa, who is the same age as he is, but she wants nothing to do with him. The final examinations become the culmination of the torment inflicted by the teacher. Kurt mistakenly believes, as it later turns out, that he has failed the exams, and takes his own life before the results are announced.
Genres
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