As with films reflecting on war, so can such perspectives and stories, not necessarily limited to depicting front lines or concentration camps. That's what makes this film brilliant and fresh.
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The shattered ideal of a German boy
Wilbert 2022-03-25 09:01:19
Looking back on the atrocities of Nazi Germany during World War II, we all know that it was wrong, but I believe that many Germans at that time did not have such an understanding, such as Fei, who was born in a poor family in the play, so he thought that going to Napola would be a good idea. No longer worry about money, but also can receive education and serve the country, why not do it. But of course there are also his father and the weak friend Ai who saw through all this absurdity. The film is to complete the huge transformation of young Fei's thinking through everything he has experienced in this school. He is indeed excellent, he should receive a good education, he should have a bright future, and he should repay his parents and the country, but he gradually understood that the realization of this ideal should not be through bullying the weak and violating human nature. As Ai said, you could have won another way. Violence, bloodlust and power are not the only ways.
As with films reflecting on war, so can such perspectives and stories, not necessarily limited to depicting front lines or concentration camps. That's what makes this film brilliant and fresh.
As with films reflecting on war, so can such perspectives and stories, not necessarily limited to depicting front lines or concentration camps. That's what makes this film brilliant and fresh.
Extended Reading
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Christoph Schneider: Pull yourself together!
Albrecht Stein: Pull myself together? Do you know what we just did? You shouldn't have shot! You shouldn't have shot!
Tjaden: I didn't give the order. Your father said they had guns!
Albrecht Stein: Why are you looking at me like that?
Friedrich Weimer: I'm not looking at you.
Albrecht Stein: I know what you're thinking. Don't look at me like that!
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Albrecht Stein: [reading from his essay] "As childish as it sounds, the winter time and the sight of freshly fallen snow always fill us with inexplicable joy. Perhaps because as children, we associated it with Christmas. I always imagine myself the hero who killed dragons, rescued virgins, and freed the world from evil. As we went out yesterday to find the prisoners, I felt like that little boy who wanted to save the world."
Vogler: Albrecht, stop.
Albrecht Stein: But as we returned, I understood that I am part of the evil that I wanted to save us from.
Vogler: Albrecht, stop.
Albrecht Stein: Shooting prisoners is wrong. They were not armed, as Governor Stein told us, to incite us. We didn't shoot men, only children.
Vogler: Out!