SubscribeBetween 1968-1977, West Germany’s socio-political structure went through its most tumultuous era. Born as an antithesis of the Nazi era, the student protests in Germany against the spread of American imperialism began a period of chaos that would end with the infamous hijack of the Lufthansa aircraft, turning it into one of the most ironical acts in German history. Uli Edel’s brilliant film ‘The Baader Mienhof Complex‘ details the beginning, middle and end of that movement, bringing to life Stefan Aust’s work “The Baader-Meinhof Group”.
The film begins with a pleasant day at a German beach in 1967, introducing us to the gorgeous Ulrike Meinhof who was then a very well known journalist working for a left wing magazine. As the police atrocities begin against the student protesters, she finds herself empathizing with their cause, writing the following lines after assassination attempt on Rudi Dutschke.:
Protest is when I say this does not please me.
Resistance is when I ensure what does not please me occurs no more
The film the picks up a raging pace that left me at the edge of the seat till the very end, shifting constantly between the key characters of the RAF and the devolution of their entire belief structure from high idealism to rioting and terrorism. Amongst the characters, Mienhof’s story is the most fascinating, her intelligence and natural empathy constantly in conflict with the hard-hitting nature of the group. Played by Martina Gedeck, Mienhof’s beliefs and sacrifices provides an immediate contrast to the rebellious madness of the hardliner Andreas Baader, who was one of the first members of the RAF.
As I walked out of the theater after two and half hours, I realized that RAF’s tale has many parallels. Naxalite groups that originated from Bengal, for instance. (Sudhir Mishra’s ‘Hazaron Khwaishein Aisi‘ is a must-watch for anyone who is interested in similar story based in an Indian setting.) Outstanding direction, great acting, and superb screenplay all make for a very compelling watch for anyone who has the stomach for the aggressive violence that’s rampant throughout the film.
Rating: 4.5/5
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Vitagraph Films has acquired the title and will be releasing THE BAADER-MEINHOF COMPLEX theatrically in the U.S. in late August 2009.