The Crocodiles Strike Back (Vorstadtkrokodile 2)

Director(s): Christian Ditter
Country: Germany
Language: German w/ English subtitles
Live Action | 2010 | 90 min
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Recommended for ages 13+ (Parental Guidance: Coarse language; bathroom humor; scenes depicting danger and violence)

The Crocodiles” was a huge hit at our 2011 festival, so screening the second installment of their trilogy was a no-brainer! All the original cast members are back (looking a little older as kids are prone to do), and several new characters assist in solving another town conspiracy. This time the gang of pint-sized detectives stumbles across a plot involving a local factory threatened with a mysterious closure. Worried that their parents will lose their jobs, the young sleuths must work together to uncover the sinister plan.

“The Crocodiles Strike Back” is packed with plenty of adventure and humor. What this film has above and beyond other films made for young adults is a sincere development of characters with real-world domestic situations. There are kids from broken families trying to cope. Racism is tackled, as are stereotypes of the physically challenged, often in humorous ways. These evolving young adults are empowered through their friendship despite entering a difficult age of thinking romantically about each other. There is still teasing but with respect for one another. Dealing with issues relevant to kids around the world, this entertaining coming-of-age film is guaranteed to thrill audiences.

Awards
Children´s Film Festival Seattle 2010, Children’s Jury Award, Best Feature Film; Thessaloniki International Film Festival 2010, Children’s Jury Award