Warning: May contain spoilers.
After the successful launch of the first-ever German Film Week last year, Goethe-Institut Philippen once again presents a diverse roster of contemporary German films to the Philippine audience this 2017 German Film Week.
Last September 27 at the SM Mall of Asia cinema, 2017 German Film Week kicked off with one of its latest film, My Brother Simple (Simpel, 2017), a comedy-drama directed by Markus Goller.
The film follows the story of two brothers, Ben and Barnabas, who found themselves in an adventure as they search for their father whom they haven’t seen for 15 years. But Barnabas, who is often referred to as Simpel, is no ordinary person. He is a 22 years old mentally challenged guy that has the mind of a three-year-old.
As the film expounds on the relationship of the two brothers, the viewers are reminded of these three simple truths in life:
1. You need to take care of yourself too.
Ben has been taking care of his brother for the longest time and he didn’t realize that since all his attention was on his brother, he didn’t get to have a life of his own. People keep pointing this out to him — particularly his father.
When he reconnected with his father to seek help, his father was willing to take him in and lend him money until he’s able to establish himself. But the only draw back was that he can’t bring his brother along.
This posited a complication for Ben since he couldn’t and wouldn’t want to part with Simpel.
Often, people make the same mistake as Ben. We are too busy taking care of other people that we forget to take care of ourselves. This does not mean, of course, that we should become selfish. Rather, we can better take care of others, if “the self” is also well-taken cared of.
Doing this will keep us from feeling what Ben eventually felt: burned out and frustrated. He almost lost his brother because of this. But sometimes, we don’t get second chances like Ben. So make sure to take care of yourself too, before it’s too late.
2. Sometimes the best solution is to just let go.
The dilemma of the whole film was when Ben wasn’t granted legal guardianship over Simpel after their mother passed away. It means that Simpel needs to be sent to a care home. Despite Ben’s attempt to appeal for reconsideration, it was still rejected. But Ben doesn’t want to part with Simpel so they ran away to search for their father who may help them out.
It is understandable that Ben is skeptical about sending his brother to a facility. But what he has forgotten was that his brother needs round-the-clock attention. If left alone, he can either hurt himself or cause a disaster.
Sometimes holding on to someone may even cause more harm towards the person we care about. Oftentimes, it is best to just let go. It doesn’t mean that we care less when we let go; instead, it is because we care too much for the person that we’re willing to let them go so they can have the best life possible.
3. You need to admit and recognize your own limitations
It is normal that Ben and Simpel will turn to each other after their mom passed away suddenly. But since Simpel has special needs, it was obvious that Ben cannot do it alone. With no money, he had to ask strangers to take care of his brother while he finds their father. And he even had to steal from groceries in order to have something to eat.
Clearly, Ben failed to recognize his limitations. Aria, one of the strangers who helped them, had to point that out to Ben several times. In the end, Ben realized the things he can’t do for Simpel and started doing something about it.
All of us have limitations. It takes courage to admit it and ask help from others. But it is also wise to recognize it right away.
Ben and Simpel’s relentless love for each other in My Brother Simple will always remind all of us of the value of brotherhood and taking care of each other unconditionally.
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You can catch My Brother Simple during the 2nd German Film Week at SM Mall of Asia and SM North Edsa from September 28 to October 5. For more information, visit Goethe.de/Manila.