Label Me

By: Samantha Frost

The film begins as Lars (Nikolaus Benda) finds Waseem (Renato Schuch) in a Berlin train station and brings him home. Waseem is a gay-for-pay hustler with set rules. Lars, a high-class man with a luxury apartment, almost immediately crosses boundaries before Waseem has a chance to explain and the two of them brace themselves for what’s to come. Label Me is a character-driven film that digs into the complexities and internal struggle that comes with accepting oneself.

Waseem is a Syrian refugee whose source of income relies on being able to satisfy the needs of men while keeping himself completely closed off from them. Lars wants more than the physical connection. This divide creates inevitable tension and the film follows these two men as they overcome power struggles and cultural differences all while finding a dynamic that works for them.

When Lars unexpectedly has to go out for work, he leaves Waseem alone in his apartment, creating a great tool for characterizing both men. This simple move shows that Lars has an amount of trust built into this situation that hasn’t been earned. Waseem, left alone, begins to pack a bag full of some of Lars’ most expensive possessions, but then changes his mind. Lars comes home to find Waseem has eaten his food and then taken a seat next to the bag of items. Something changes in this moment which creates a level of softness that Waseem is not comfortable with and eventually catapults them into new levels of tension.

The film doesn’t shy away from the problems caused by masculinity and internalized homophobia. Lars’ desire to become closer to and more intimate with Waseem ends up pushing him away. This dilemma pushes damages caused by repression to the forefront and allows the film to bring a light to this issue. In the film, just like in real life, there is no simple answer.

Director Kai Kreuser chose to use dark lighting throughout most of the film. Most scenes have a black overcast with hints of red. The lighting creates an intense energy that keeps your guard up and has you expecting the worst. The stakes are high here and instead of keeping that low-key Kreuser paints the picture clearly.

From the angles of shots to the transitions between scenes, everything is sharp. There are quick fists and harsh words, but throughout the darkness of the film there are also soft and humorous moments that pull at heartstrings and remind the audience of the humanity of these intense characters.

Benda and Schuch give their all to these roles and it pays off. There characters are strong, well-rounded and unique and each actor effortlessly molds into their part. Their chemistry in undeniable and leaves no need for imagination. Everything that needs to be said or understood is either in the dialogue or in their eyes.

Label Me is a short film, reaching only sixty minutes, but it feels just right and not a single moment is wasted. Lars and Waseem’s story embraces many of the issues compounded with male queerness and masculinity and brings light on dark situations. This film is a reminder that people deal with things in their own ways and there isn’t always a right or wrong answer. If you’re looking for intensity with a splash of softness, this one is for you!