Pia Ampaw in Todeslust (2002)

Pics

Review

Todeslust is a made for German TV erotic-thriller directed by Michael Keusch (The Outer Limits) which stars the beautiful Doreen Jacobi (HeliCops), Anatole Taubmann (Be.Angeled),Katy Karrenbauer (Hinter Gittern – Der Frauenknast) as well as Jessica Stockmann (Wie angelt man sich seinen Chef?) and former porn star Michaela Schaffrath aka Gina Wild (Maximum Perversum - Junge Fotzen, hart gedehnt).

It centers on undercover cop Vanessa (Jacobi) who has to find out about a murder that happened in an institution teaching Indian lovemaking techniques. In order to do so, she attends one of their courses together with a sex-addicted gigolo (Taubmann), a woman who was left by her lover (Karrenbauer) and several other interesting but creepy characters. Vanessa’s handicap is that she once was raped and now has some serious issues when it comes to men in general and sex in particular. Since this course mainly is about sex it becomes quite obvious that she will have to overcome her demons in order to solve the case!

When I read about this flick I couldn’t wait to see it - not necessarily because of the mesmerizing plot (just kidding...) but mostly because of expecting one of those highly controversial made for German TV fuck festivals. Sadly it turned out to be rather tame and well within the borders of an “ab 12“ rating (which still allows quite a lot – see the Nudity Report).

If there’s something positive about Todeslust that is actually worth mentioning, it has to be Doreen Jacobi. Although her performance may be slightly uneven at times, she really manages to bring across the fear and especially the vulnerability her character must feel. One look into the blonde’s sad blue eyes tells you what Vanessa must have been through – really impressive! It’s a shame that such a talented young actress gets wasted in below average productions like this! Michael Keusch’s direction is solid and well-paced but even a veteran can’t do much about such a thankless and unoriginal script (“highlighted” by a totally ludicrous ending). Still: Todeslust is quite thrilling and remains watchable thanks to some nice visuals and a very good leading actress. Last but not least, on a humorous note: this movie’s working title was Kamasutra – Liebesgeflüster kalter Lippen (sorry guys, you gotta figure this out by yourself!). I don’t know who gets paid to think of such crap!!!

Nudity Report: Doreen Jacobi has several bra-clad as well as topless scenes including some very hot, though far too short simulated sex scenes. Jessica Stockmann shows her breasts when she gets killed in the bathtub early in the film. Pia Ampaw, who plays “Protima”, provides some nice breasts and buns.

Critics: IMDB doesn’t even have it listed when I write this! Udo: 1.5/4.

Box Office: Made for German TV Todeslust premiered on the 4th of September 2002


Written by: Udo Baumann