Eismayer

Inspired by a true story, the film follows the unlikely relationship between Sergeant Eismayer, the toughest man in the Austrian army, and his young recruit. Against the backdrop of a strict military barracks—where discipline is absolute and homosexuality remains taboo—a forbidden bond begins to grow between them. With gripping twists and turns, the film never loses momentum. In a powerful closing touch, the real-life photographs of the two men—who still serve in the Austrian army today—appear on screen.

[WatchAUT '23] Through the description of an ambivalent character like Sergeant Eismayer, who shows his paternal side and his strict personality in the army, this story avoids some commonplaces of the LGBT love genre to build its protagonist also through the characters that surround him. From the marriage built on non-acceptance, to the personal relationship with the soldier Falak. And above all, there is a subtle directing work that shows the character sometimes out of focus, in contrast to Falak, a representation of the position in which each one is regarding his sexuality.

Closeted military trainer falls in love with recruit.

This is based on a true story - but honestly, while Eismayer's attitude towards his recruits in general is amusing (well, if you're not a recruit, I guess), the whole gay romance remains bland and undramatic especially in a military environment. Maybe the two of them really were lucky not to face some kind of blowback, still, for a movie it's too simple and straight-forward even with the issues Eismayer's facing, being closeted and married in the beginning towards being out in the open (and happier for it).