Baader Meinhof Complex, The

Aroview: A big-budget, pulse-pounding account of terrorism and political protest in 1960s and 70s Germany, centred on the notorious Red Army Faction and their increasingly violent attacks on the West German establishment.

Retold from the perspective of co-founder Andreas Baader and left-wing journalist turned RAF cheerleader Ulrike Meinhof, this affords an exciting, often visceral point of view on tumultuous events. Through its propulsive energy though, it must be said that the film’s sexed-up brand of violence and rebellion sits uneasily against the reality of the Red Army’s crimes – however strong the argument that glamorising their actions reflects the public’s fascination with their activism at the time. Less political thriller than gun-toting action flick, dir. Edel’s relentless pacing and on the fly camera work at least brings the history kicking and screaming into the present, even if it's at the expense of much-needed restraint.

NZ International Film Festival 2009

more matches…