Wetlands (2014)
80%RT Audience Score: 66%
Awards & Nominations: 3 wins & 8 nominations
While certainly not for the faint of heart, Wetlands transcends its shock value with sweetness, heart, and subversive wit
If you’re looking for a movie that’s both gross and hilarious, Wetlands is the perfect pick. It’s not your typical romantic comedy, but it’s packed with feminist themes and unconventional storytelling that will keep you entertained from start to finish. Plus, Carla Juri’s performance is a total standout – you’ll be rooting for her character, Helen, the whole way through. And let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good poop joke? Wetlands delivers on all fronts.
Production Company(ies)
Constantin Film Norddeutscher Rundfunk Westdeutscher Rundfunk
Distributor
Strand Releasing
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Berlin, Germany
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2013
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:2.35 : 12.39:1
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Runtime:1h 49m
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Language(s):German
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Sep 5, 2014 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 13, 2015
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Carla Juri, Christoph Letkowski, Marlen Kruse, Meret Becker, Axel Milberg, Peri Baumeister, directed by David Wnendt, written by Claus Falkenberg, David Wnendt, comedy, German language, box office gross $59.4K, reviewed by Judy Berman, Amelia Ayrelan Iuvino, Bill Goodykoontz, Richard Corliss, Richard Brody, Jonathan Romney, Joe Lipsett, David Lamble, Dan Tabor, Nicholas Bell, Mattie Lucas, MPAA rating R, rebellious teen, hospital, male nurse, divorced parents, feminist riffs, black comedy, gross-out moments, sexual content, hygiene, family drama, friendship, love story, unconventional storytelling, sweet soundtrack, engrossing visuals
Worldwide gross: $10,561,230
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $13,416,438
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,871
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 1,463,079
US/Canada gross: $59,478
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $75,558
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,703
US/Canada opening weekend: $6,488
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $8,242
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,741
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Christoph Letkowski – Robin
Marlen Kruse – Corinna
Meret Becker – Mother
Axel Milberg – Father
Peri Baumeister – Sister Valerie
David Wnendt – Director/Producer
Claus Falkenberg – Writer
Director(s)
David Wnendt
Writer(s)
Claus Falkenberg, David Wnendt
Producer(s)
David Wnendt
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
3 wins & 8 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (57) | Top Critics (29) | Fresh (52) | Rotten (5)
… The film is packed with subtle, feminist riffs on romantic movie clichés…
September 21, 2017
Judy Berman
Flavorwire
TOP CRITIC
Helen is really rad and funny and brave.
December 5, 2016
Amelia Ayrelan Iuvino
Bitch Media
TOP CRITIC
“Wetlands” tells a fairly conventional story in about the most unconventional ways imaginable.
November 13, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
Bill Goodykoontz
Arizona Republic
TOP CRITIC
Even if Wetlands were far less entertaining, it would still be a calling card for Juri’s star-is-born performance. The beguiled viewer watches her and thinks, “Bingo!”
October 16, 2014
Richard Corliss
TIME Magazine
TOP CRITIC
An absurdly simplistic family drama; the movie’s apparent audacity isn’t even skin deep.
September 22, 2014
Richard Brody
New Yorker
TOP CRITIC
Yes, you could call Wetlands the anal anti-Amélie, but-although Wnendt is nowhere near as stylistically pedantic-this film has a certain Jeunet-like flamboyance that you’ll either love or hate.
September 18, 2014
Jonathan Romney
Film Comment Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Gross and funny, the film wisely understands how to adapt Charlotte Roche’s far more controversial and shocking source material in a way that’s palatable to audiences. Carla Juri is a delight
July 1, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/5
Joe Lipsett
Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Podcast
An uncompromising comedy.
June 10, 2020
David Lamble
Bay Area Reporter
Wetlands is gross, complicated and dysfunctional and honestly I wouldn’t want it any other way. The film, much like its protagonist, isn’t an easy film to love, but those who look beyond the shock will find it has a heart.
May 29, 2020
Dan Tabor
Cinapse
Wetlands is a film that gloriously embraces a frank exploration of human bodily functions like no other, a veritable ‘warts and all’ endeavor, if you will, that’s refreshing, funny, and most importantly, memorable.
September 5, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/5
Nicholas Bell
IONCINEMA.com
A film that is always vibrantly alive with a sense of self discovery and even wonder – at the world, at life, at the human body, and it does so without any self consciousness or forced sincerity.
August 7, 2019 | Rating: 3/4
Mattie Lucas
From the Front Row
In spite of an early disclaimer that states “This book shouldn’t be read or adapted to film,” taken from a letter to the editor from Bild Online, you’re glad Wnendt and company went ahead and did it anyway.
November 15, 2018
Stephen Saito
Moveable Fest…
Plot
The eccentric 18 year-old Helen narrates the story of her life, including stories about her preferred sexual practices that involve vegetables, her attitude towards hygiene, drugs, her best friend Corinna and her challenging childhood. The frame story takes place in a hospital where she is treated because of an anal fissure. During her stay she plans to reunite her divorced parents and falls in love with the male nurse Robin.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Carla Juri’s performance in Wetlands is described as “incredible” and a “breakthrough” for the actor.
David-Wnendt.jpg
