A German Youth

josé neves

"Indie" cinema # 9: a German romanticism. It's curious, but undeniable, that to look from this distance towards the events recorded by the film, in this period of economic imperatives becoming imperialist, it sets off a connection with the characters that some German literature consolidated, as Kleist's Michael Kohlhaas.The film has the virtue of not denying it, with rare and essential documents well processed.

msmichel

Exceptional documentary looking at the rise of the RAF in 60's/70's Germany by using only archival footage to tell its' tale. The passion of the radical youth shines through as protest gives way to violence and eventually terror.

Jason

A GERMAN YOUTH is an assemblage, a collection of found footage, full of grandstanding politicos and strident youth, bits of news, spliced-in happenings. Shouldn't by any rights be one of the most grabs-on-won't-let-go captivating things I have ever seen, but there you have it. This is mad and profound history I was already profoundly mad for. I had this thought: Ulrike Meinhof could just as easily have been a CEO.

DrFirestone

Absolutely brilliant documentary exposing the reasons why the far left political movements failed (so far). We see the fragmented political left crushed by the capitalist media and state control. But most of all, we fail to evolve because of our conformist human nature - a revolution requires a personal sacrifice, and the working class (until they’re dying of starvation) couldn’t care less. Top class documentary.

anarresti

Incredible documentary, that gives meaning to a whole lot more than its scope. Telling the story of the Red Army Faction, the film explains a lot of how German society made the transition from fascism to democracy. It shows the gap of generations, how the youth was more utopian and felt their parents were guilty. How radical utopians like the RAF transitioned from theory to direct action and then violent action.

Bilouaustria

Of course, making a documentary without voice over is a great idea. It should always be the case. The archives are also a fantastic material to work with. And the 1960s in Germany (and pretty much everywhere) were a fascinating political time. But what do we learn here ? What haven´t we already seen ? Watch again "Deutschland im Herbst" ! And i guess, making this film in 2015 is close to pure romanticism.

EdieMaas

I liked this quite a bit, I remember, but honestly the details were just sort of a little peripheral to the giant swoony crush I developed on Ulrike Meinhof. <3

affasf

Mild overall, but remarkable anti-sensationalistic reminder to footage telluric vehicularity – the unapologetic beauty of fire engulfing ideology.