How to persuade the rich, or Cannes update

The first German film to compete in Cannes in 11 years, it [The Edukators] tells the story of three idealistic youths who break into rich people’s villas and move around their furniture, leaving behind notes with messages such as: “You have too much money.”

Their aim is not to steal from the rich to give to the poor, but to make their targets question their privileges. When they are surprised by one of the homeowners, they kidnap him and are forced to put their ideals into practice.

“I’m really happy to present this film in the country where the word revolution was invented,” Weingartner told a news conference in this French Riviera resort.

As is often the case, the remainder of the story surpasses any comment I could offer:

Critics at Cannes clapped and cheered during scenes in which the kidnappers and their victim intelligently debate how youthful idealism eventually fades.

Weingartner avoids a simplistic ending, but leaves open the possibility that each of them is changed by the experience.

Here is the full story. Here is more information on the movie. Don’t forget that the alternative title of the film is “The Fat Years are Over.”