The Baader Meinhof Complex, 2009

Director: Uli Edel
Awards --nominated for many, didn;t win any
Starring: Martina Gedeck; Moritz Bleibtreu; Johanna Wolakea; Nadja Uhl
 IMDB Link: Baader Meinhof Complex

sez: everyone who ever considered themselves "a committed leftist" ought to go see this and discuss it with others of their political persuasion. I think the Baader Meinhof Group went way wrong--but living through the mid 20th century and having a social conscience, the path they took is understandable.  But it is not easy to understand many of their actions as presented in this movie. Like..if you knew the police were looking for you, why would you go out speeding in a stolen car?  But worse, to me, was their commitment to each other appeared to evolve into being more important than their commitment to the social causes they espoused.  Their disrespect to other cultures (women sunbathing in the nude in front of Arabs) suggested an arrogance which was not flattering. But worst of all was their disregard for 'civilians' in the war they waged.  I wonder if a young person, who doesn't know much history, could have any idea what this film is all about?  If not, that is a serious criticism of the film. And, finally the Germany government was portrayed as schizophrenic -- mowing down harmless protestors one moment, and coddling people in jail the next.  This film is certainly worth the price of admission, just because it brings up so very many questions about the politics of the mid 20th century.

mjc says:  having sat in the audience  while some of these radicals spoke at Columbia in the late 60s, I understand some of the mentality but I also understand the disrespect these folks have for the working people they profess to support.  That we are thinking about this in depth is testament to the movie's power and connection with the realities of the time.