The Free Will (der Freie Wille, Germany, 2006) ☆☆☆

The most controversial movie in the last Berlinale (2006), the Free Will tales the story of a serial raper, Theo. After having raped three women, he is sent to prison for 9 years. Doctors say he is "cured" and is then released. Theo is willing to start his life again; he finds himself a job in a printshop and even starts a romantic relationship. But unfortunately for him, his urge for violence cannot seem to stop. Although he consciously tries to, Theo is more and more attracted to the act of raping. He falls again, committing a horrendous crime, and to stop his suffering and those of others, is willing to even commit suicide.

The rape and violence scenes are some of the most realistically disturbing I have ever seen. The message in the movie is quite clear: a serial raper cannot be cured with psychological treatment. Is this always the case? I guess no one know for sure, but the disturbing images will make you reflect upon the subject for a long time after finishing this almost 3 hour-long story.