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SUBJECT IVITY IS THE KEY
IN THE TERRORIST FREEDOM FIGHTER DEBATE
Kaleem Aftab meets the producer and stars of The Baader-Meinhof Complex to discuss the challenges of making political films like this in this ‘Age of Terror'
ernd liichinger is best known internationally as
the writer and producer ol‘ Down/rill and alter
having l‘orced the (ierman public to look back at their relationship with Hitler he has now turned his
attention to the Red Army l‘action (Rx‘xl’). Whether
these l‘)7()s urban guerrillas were terrorists. li'eetloin lighters or just murderous l'ashionistas remains a contentious issue in his homeland. But is it possible to form a detached. inl‘ormed opinion in a world where politicians are constantly inl'orming us that we live in the ‘Age til-’l‘L‘l’l'Ul'...’
liichinger scol'l's at the suggestion that ‘)/II has changed history's perspective ol' the RAF: "l‘he lacts are the same and do not change because ol‘ ‘)/l l. I did not do this movie because we live in times of terror. 1 was interested in my own traumatic past because we were the first generation alter the .\'a/is. I don't believe the RAI’ would have been possible without the Nazis.‘
So in his mind there’s a direct link between Dunn/kill. his own past and his latest film The Bum/mu.l/It'in/Iof(burp/(iv. He adds: ‘ln l‘)(v7/(i8. l was studying lilm in Munich and consequently l was there when it all happened. We all had a great time during the student movement and this lilm was something I was always going to do at some time.‘ His el‘l‘ort to remain truthl'ul and non—judgemental has led him to write what he describes as ‘sliredded cinema” where all the l‘acts have been digested and lel‘t l‘or the audience to pill the pieces together in whatever way l‘its best. In the terrorism vs l‘reedom lighters debate. he believes subjectivity is key.
The bu/I tor the movie started with news that it was to be the most expensive movie ever produced in Germany. Then the cast list started to read like a ll'lm's ll'lm ol contemporary (ierman cinema. At its heart is the battle between the mind ()1 l'lrike .\leinhol' and the brawn ol' Andreas Baader. Reuniting alter appearing together in .'\lullll.\‘('(/ are Martina (iedeck and .‘ylorti/ Bleibtreu (pictured). They both l'ound their newest collaboration a challenge. (iedeck says: "l'liere's so much secrecy about Meinholfl so much mystery. I didn't really know much about her. l found her obsession with politics and justice and the idea ol' bringing about a collective conscience a very romantic ideal. She was very daring but on the other hand. very soil and low key. But I was not brought tip politically and when l was a child in Berlin my mother kept me away l'rom the huge demonstrations.’
While (iedeck’s research proved l’ruitl‘ul. Bleibtreu l'ound himsell‘ increasingly li'ttsti‘atetl. '\\'hat‘s really fascinating about the guy is that everyone has a strong image and seems to know this guy so well. Yet il‘ you start doing research you get nothing. It's like this guy was a myth. liveryone talks about him being charismatic and good looking but take a look. he‘s not so good looking. and there is not much l'ootage to say he’s charismatic so I had to ask my self "where does this glztlllntll' aspect Hi this character come li‘otlil'm It’s a question that has conl‘ounded state governments. as well as artists.
The Baader—Meinhof Complex is on selected release from Fri 14 Nov. See review, page 40.
Hit >l<
THE BEST FILM & DVD RELEASES
* Waltz with Bashir Israeli filmmaker Ari Folman’s animated war documentary that‘s equal parts personal therapy and artistic innovation. Powerful, moving and beautiful. See profile, page 43 and review, page 41. GFf, Glasgow; Cameo, Edinburgh and selected release from Fri 27 Nov.
#3 Conversations with My Gardener Low-key drama from veteran French filmmaker Jean Becker which lives up to its title. Quiet. meditative and pleasing. See review. page 41. GET Glasgow: Filmhouse, Edinburgh from Fri 27 Nov.
* The Baader-Meinhof Complex Complex. engrossing and informative historical epic about Germany's most notorious anarchist militia. See left and review. page 40. Selected release from Fri 14 Nov.
3!: Blindness Fernando Meirelles’ flawed. messy and odd adaptation of Jose Saramago’s brutal cult novel has some Curiously interesting parts in what is an unsatisfying whole. See interview and Also Released, page 42. General release from Fri 21 Nov.
* Zack and Miri Make a Porno Silly and sentimental but enjoyable comedy about two friend’s attempts to break into the amateur porn industry. Directed by Kevin Smith. See feature, page 20 and review. page 41. General release from Fri 74 Nov.
3!! Hunger Artist Steve McQueen's remarkable IRA member Bobby Sands‘ last weeks in Maze prison in 1981. Out now, selected release.
* Import/Export Austrian filmmaker Ulrich Seidl's stunning and poetic tale of migration and social borders. GFF, Glasgow from Mon 7 7- Wed 79 Nov. Cameo. Edinburgh from Fri 21 Nov.
13 2/ Nov 2008 THE LIST 39