A German Youth

A German Youth is a compelling documentary that intricately investigates the social, political, and ideological complexities both preceding and during the rise of the Red Army Faction (RAF), a radical left-wing group prominent in Germany during the 1970s. This movie, which falls under a history and documentary genre, was directed by Jean-Gabriel Périot, with its first screening in 2019. It's a masterful fusion of unprecedented archival footages and stimulating narratives, rending an immersive chronicle of a tense period of German history.

Unfolding with a focus on the late 1960s, the documentary shifts attention to the different aspects of German society, particularly the younger generation's growing dissatisfaction with post-war rehabilitation and their desire for radical reformation. Distraught by the return of former, National Socialists to prominent positions in West Germany and disillusioned by the conservative government of the time, this restive youth channel their discontent into the founding of the RAF, a revolutionary Marxist group.

The film's structure is largely based on a collection of archival footage, providing a raw account of the period. It uses visual media effectively to communicate the undercurrents of revolution, unrest, and radicalization among the youth, effectively transporting viewers back in time. The hitherto unseen clips come from varying sources like TV news reports, student films, and propaganda materials fabricated by the RAF. Périot skillfully assembles this footage and shapes it into a riveting narrative.

A significant portion of A German Youth focuses on the group’s most notorious members: Ulrike Meinhof, Gudrun Ensslin, and future cinematographer and film director Holger Meins. Members of the RAF, these figures dramatically encapsulate the convictions, motives, and actions of radical left-wing factions during the period. It brilliantly captures the transition of Meins from film student to propagandist to militant, Meinhof's shift from a respected journalist to a wanted terrorist, and Ensslin’s disheartening evolution from a passionate activist to a cold-blooded militant.

However, it steps away from the common trope of demonizing or glorifying these figures. Instead, it meticulously presents the complexity of their characters, their personal motivations, and their political beliefs without passing judgment, leaving it to viewers to form their own perspectives.

Périot implements an interesting use of his initial subjects’ student films to articulate their ideologies and goals. These are stark in their production and are politically charged, capturing the zeitgeist of student protest and bourgeois dissent. Their aesthetic significantly contrasts later footage from mainstream media and the state prosecution, highlighting the dichotomy between the radical Left and the German state.

Also notable is Périot's exploration of the relationship between media and propaganda. The film effectively utilizes the vast amount of media coverage from various sources to formulate narrative structures and express ideologies. It shows how different media outlets used similar footage to convey opposing perspectives and how these representations were manipulated to sway public opinion, either in favor of the government or the RAF.

Moreover, the film offers an insightful analysis of the legal issues and ethical implications of the RAF's activities. The trial of the RAF members is another key section of the film, which dissects the intricacies of the court proceedings, its politico-legal ramifications, and puts a question on the judiciary's role in upholding justice in the backdrop of political unrest.

Being narrated entirely in German, it fulfills its commitment to authenticity in cinematically portraying an era of tumultuous revolt, painting an intimate, grim, but fascinating portrait of 'a German youth'. subtitles notwithstanding, the story retains its emotional and intellectual intensity. The language barrier, in fact, underlines the cultural and historical characteristics of the era, enhancing its immersive quality.

Capturing both the macrocosm of the socio-political climate and the microcosm of individual struggles within the RAF, A German Youth is at once a thrilling historical narrative and a reflective study of human nature. By exploring the sense of deep-rooted discontent, dissent, the desire for change, it becomes more than just a film documenting a specific part of history. In a broader sense, it serves as a case study for understanding youth revolution, radicalization, the use of force, the role of media, the complexities of political ideologies, and the conflict between personal beliefs and social obligations.

To conclude, A German Youth is not merely a historical documentation but an introspective meditation on revolution, radicalization, and resistance. It is a riveting retrospective journey through a time of tumult, and a layered reflection on the human condition, for anyone interested in delving into the depths of human motivation, socio-political disruption, and the links between personal beliefs and public acts.