December 19th, 2006 by
danielkYesterday I watched Das Leben der Anderen on DVD. As far as I’m aware this is the first film about the GDR shown at the movies that isn’t a comedy. Thus it’s definitely worth watching even if you’re understandably tired of the recurrent theme by now.
The film’s gloomy atmosphere fell on fertile ground as I was tired and in a somewhat subdued mood that evening. Indeed, it’s been a while since the last time a movie made me cry. Das Leben der Anderen manages to be emotionally moving without any kitsch whatsoever. I really love the way the final scene ends in a still. Watching this movie reminded me of the fact that I’m still an optimist at heart, non withstanding my pronounced skepticism.
This film has been criticized as showing the Stasi in too mild a light, probably on the grounds that the main theme of the officer who sees the errors of his ways is unrealistic. And indeed it is. But I think that’s missing the point. As I see it, there are two main themes in this film. One of them being how the activities of the Stasi and the fear of them permeated a whole society. I think that part is shown accurately and doesn’t understate the role of the Stasi in the slightest. The hypothetical story of the true believer who is distressed by the cynicism of his colleagues is merely the dramatic ingredient that makes this a movie, and a great one at that. Also, in the audio commentary (yes, I know I’m weird), the director quite clearly outlines his views about the methods of the Stasi, and make no mistake, he’s not sympathetic.
On another note, I can proudly proclaim that I know one of the extras appearing in this movie. As it happens, my girlfriend befriends quite many interesting people. It felt rather odd to see Detlef Matthes, himself a victim of the Stasi who went into exile, among the audience of a lecture at a Stasi training center.
So, if you haven’t seen the movie yet, Das Leben der Anderen is definitely worth being on your list.
