Das letzte Mahl

The movie stands out thanks to how it treats its subject matter. There is no black-and-white separation of the characters into either victims or culprits; rather, it attempts to break down the specific and xenophobic motivations behind the opinions, beliefs and discussions revolving around National Socialist doctrines. Considering the current socio-political climate, with right-wing parties constantly gaining ground, the film clearly aims to take a firm stance. The mood created by the settings, light, music and stunning actors make it a jewel.

The movie opens with a WWI manifesto from the German Jewish community where loyalty to German ideals and heroism at the front is lauded. About 100,000 German Jews fought in the war, of which 18,000 were awarded the Iron Cross and 12,000 were killed in action. The Jewish community was initially enthusiastic about the war, but in this were no different from overall German society and most German intellectuals, with a few honorable exceptions like Albert Einstein.

In the first scene, paterfamilias Aaron Glickstein is discussing the current political situation in Germany with a friend in their private club. This is the morning of January 30, 1933. The rest of the movie's scenario is the Glickstein luxurious residence in the evening of the same day, where the family is having an elaborate dinner that includes Aaron's parents, his wife, his sister and daughter Leah and son Michael. The radio has just announced that president Hindenburg has appointed Adolf Hitler as Reich chancellor. All the conversation is about the new political situation and revelations surface. Leah has been arranging her emigration to Palestine without informing Aaron and Michael admits to be a sympathizer of the Nazi Party, which he euphemistically refers to as "the nationalist movement," There is a brief discussion about Mein Kampf. It is dismissed by Aaron as "the least read best seller in history" but recognized by his interlocutor as a program actually driving the Right, to be taken seriously. With the benefit of hindsight we know who was right or wrong and that it is dangerous to assume that somebody like us will not descend to unimaginably levels of evil.

The movie is filmed theater, but none the less excellent for it. The obvious danger for director and cowriter Florian Frerichs was to create characters based on cliches or being templates for an opinion of other. That doesn't happen and there are enough hints on the characters' lives besides their politics to make them three dimensional and complex human beings. I was enthralled by this film from beginning to end, Highly recommended.