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THE BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX
Germany/France/Czech Republic 2008 (MA15+)

Germany in the 1970s: murderous bomb attacks, the threat of terrorism and the fear of the enemy inside are rocking the very foundations of the still fragile German democracy. The radicalised children of the Nazi generation led by Andreas Baader (Moritz Bleibtreu), Ulrike Meinhof (Martina Gedeck) and Gudrun Ensslin (Johanna Wokalek) are fighting a violent war against what they perceive as the new face of fascism: American imperialism supported by the German establishment. Their aim is to create a more humane society but by employing inhumane means they not only spread terror and bloodshed, they also lose their own humanity. The man who best understands them is also their hunter: the head of the German police force, Horst Herold (Bruno Ganz). And while he succeeds in his relentless pursuit of the young terrorists, he knows he's only dealing with the tip of the iceberg.

Review by Louise Keller:
The Baader Meinhof Complex is an uncompromisingly brutal look at German left-wing militants in the 70s, whose fanatic mindset set off a disturbing and shattering chain of events. The film highlights the ugliest side of human nature and as a result it is a sobering experience, reinforcing the futility of violence. Adapted from a book by Stefan Aust depicting the historic events, the screenplay delivers what we sense is a blow by blow account, and while the accuracy of historical facts is imperative, the film's impact from its drawn out structure, suffers somewhat as a consequence. The cast is faultless however, with Moritz Bleibtreu and Martina Gedeck superb as movement leaders Andreas Baader and Ulrike Meinhof.
Directed by Uli Edel, who also contributed to the screenplay, the film gives an excellent sense of the times, when the Vietnam War raged and revolution was the word on the streets. Their aim is to fight oppression and injustice around the world: 'It's possible to take action and win,' Gedeck's respected journalist Meinhof writes. Bleibtreu's Baader insists 'only a gun makes it fun; change things or die trying.' Perhaps the film's most interesting part is the beginning, when we learn how Baader and Meinhof become the leaders, figureheads and inspiration to the movement. In the case of Meinhof, a political journalist with two young children, it is her conviction to act, rather than do nothing that propels her. Her desertion of her children is unfathomable.
The events, characters and storylines are as complex as the title suggests, and we feel the desperation of all the participants throughout - be it in the field training, robbing banks, stealing cars, setting off explosives and bombs and callously pulling the trigger and precipitating blood baths. There is so much violence, I almost felt desensitised at the senseless killings and there are many disquieting images - from force feeding hunger strikers to twitching bodies shattered by multiple bullets. There is no question of the film's validity as a historic retelling of the times, yet as an emotional journey and an insight into the lives of those involved, I hoped for more.

150 minutes (The film occupies the full programme)
Classification: (M) Strong violence, coarse language and nudity