Long as fuck ugh

Long as fuck ugh

Watched this in 2 seatings not because it was overwhelming but because we couldn't finish it in class but the intentional overwhelmingness of the film is immensely strong. +.5 stars for that.

Watched this in 2 seatings not because it was overwhelming but because we couldn't finish it in class but the intentional overwhelmingness of the film is immensely strong. +.5 stars for that.

2008 | Bruno Ganz

It’s been about a year and a half since I had last seen this film. Back then, my take on the RAF sounded something like ‘while they had completely valid motivations and I agree with everything they were fighting for/against, I think terrorism is wrong and violence never is the answer’. Today, I can still agree with the first half. I matured. While I must honestly say that the second part - that liberal pacifism - already came more out of the sentiment that that’s the widely accepted standpoint, not my deepest convictions.

Since I last watched this, I came to the realization that - historically and factually - violence is the only solution. Violence is the only language the oppressed can speak that their oppressors will listen to. That’s a historical fact that’s usually ignored in the liberal political pacifism of today.

This is a good film, great even. But I do have my problems with it. I immensely appreciate that it doesn’t demonize neither the leftist student movement not the RAF. It takes an honest look at their motivations, reasons and convictions. But it falls into some of the usual traps of talking about the RAF in germany. Andreas Baader doesn’t say a single truly political thing in this. He’s portrayed as a solely chauvinistic, vulgar and uncomfortable maniac who was in the RAF because he wanted to shoot guns and be ‘wild’. I’m sure Baader was some of these things to a certain degree, but it’s an immensely reductive portrayal of him as less of a political figure and more of an angry child with a gun. Although I’d rather see him portrayed in the negative way than the queens Meinhof and Ensslin!

And there’s more stuff that I’d say falls into the category of ‘basically valid criticism or something that should be talked about, but portrayed in a way that’s so heightened that it does a disservice to the portrayal’.

Still, I like this film. Maybe more than I should, but I can’t but cheer when Rudi Dutschke says ‘The fight continues, Holger’ and get wet eyes when he’s shot. There certainly are points where this film could be better - from my extremely leftist and more than just sympathetic perspective - but it also could be so much worse.

The fight continues. It has to, now more than ever!

2008 | Bruno Ganz

It’s been about a year and a half since I had last seen this film. Back then, my take on the RAF sounded something like ‘while they had completely valid motivations and I agree with everything they were fighting for/against, I think terrorism is wrong and violence never is the answer’. Today, I can still agree with the first half. I matured. While I must honestly say that the second part - that liberal pacifism - already came more out of the sentiment that that’s the widely accepted standpoint, not my deepest convictions.

Since I last watched this, I came to the realization that - historically and factually - violence is the only solution. Violence is the only language the oppressed can speak that their oppressors will listen to. That’s a historical fact that’s usually ignored in the liberal political pacifism of today.

This is a good film, great even. But I do have my problems with it. I immensely appreciate that it doesn’t demonize neither the leftist student movement not the RAF. It takes an honest look at their motivations, reasons and convictions. But it falls into some of the usual traps of talking about the RAF in germany. Andreas Baader doesn’t say a single truly political thing in this. He’s portrayed as a solely chauvinistic, vulgar and uncomfortable maniac who was in the RAF because he wanted to shoot guns and be ‘wild’. I’m sure Baader was some of these things to a certain degree, but it’s an immensely reductive portrayal of him as less of a political figure and more of an angry child with a gun. Although I’d rather see him portrayed in the negative way than the queens Meinhof and Ensslin!

And there’s more stuff that I’d say falls into the category of ‘basically valid criticism or something that should be talked about, but portrayed in a way that’s so heightened that it does a disservice to the portrayal’.

Still, I like this film. Maybe more than I should, but I can’t but cheer when Rudi Dutschke says ‘The fight continues, Holger’ and get wet eyes when he’s shot. There certainly are points where this film could be better - from my extremely leftist and more than just sympathetic perspective - but it also could be so much worse.

The fight continues. It has to, now more than ever!

during the killing and kidnapping their outfits EAATTT

during the killing and kidnapping their outfits EAATTT

very interesting becuse my dad gave me very detailed history lessons throughout this film. it's also insane how much i didn't know about this, it was so gruesome and upsetting. everyone should see this just for the info.

very interesting becuse my dad gave me very detailed history lessons throughout this film. it's also insane how much i didn't know about this, it was so gruesome and upsetting. everyone should see this just for the info.