Baader-Meinhof Komplex
!- I found the ending of the movie to be the most interesting. The entire movie was building in suspense and really took the viewer on an emotional rollercoaster. When it ended with the suicides of the three main characters, I found that to convey such a strong feeling of hopelessness. I left with a feeling of defeat, especially after watching the original founders of RAF passionately fight for the entire movie only to take their own lives.
?- While watching the movie I found myself asking a lot of questions regarding the storyline. For example, why did the group go to Jordan? What exactly happened with Meinhof’s kids? Why did the fact that Meinhof was a journalist free her from the cops in the beginning of the movie? How was she writing all of her journals while on the run? Other than questions about the plot, I also wondered why the political prisoners were treated so poorly in some cases but still had some rights in others? I don’t understand how the government decided between what was acceptable and what wasn’t.
The Lost Honor of Katharina Blum
!- A repeated theme that I noticed was the constant harassment towards women. It seemed to be the norm at the time to constantly sexually harass women with remarks and physical advances.
?- I didn’t understand why Katharina Blum was so fond of Ludwig. She ended up going through so much just to protect him. On the same note, I don’t understand why Katharina didn’t say who her “gentleman friend” was. It seemed like she would’ve been treated much better and gone through a lot less trouble if she had just been honest about her friend. Was it just a statement of rebellion and resilience? I don’t know.
New Ghetto German Show
!- I thought it was interesting that 18 physicists signed a pact and agreed not to participate in the production of nuclear weapons. Furthermore, German politicians tried to dismiss these physicists’ professional opinion and showed a “lack of respect for scholarship.”
?- How exactly do we come together to prevent what happened in the past? There were obviously people trying to fight for what was right, but what did they do wrong and how can we act differently?
Hitler Within You
!- The line, “Even though the Eichmann trial is being held in Jerusalem, we feel it among us. We are all concerned, and some people–including those of social standing and renown–may be named as guilty of or at least complicit in the crimes” reminds me of the final scene of Katharina when the person doing the eulogy talks about how this fatal gunshot wound is felt by everyone.
?- Is the world capable of putting someone like Hitler into power in this day and age? In other words how much have we, as a civilization, advanced from the days of leaders such as Hitler and Stalin?
Everybody Talks About the Weather
!- I think it’s interesting that Meinhof wrote this article about the importance of women and children’s rights even though she chose to abandon her children.
?- What makes a protest politically irrelevant? How does a group form an effective political protest?
Columnism
!- It’s interesting to hear her perspective on the responsibilities as a columnist. I’ve never thought about the importance of being the most efficient with your space. It’s also interesting to hear her talk about the opportunistic nature of the paper.
?- Are some aspects of print media losing their value because of the use of technology in media today?
