Das Kaninchen bin ich

A young woman's brother is sentenced to three years in prison--though exactly why is unclear. In the meantime, she meets the judge who sentenced him and begins an affair with him--perhaps to help her get an early release for her brother.

"The Rabbit Is Me" was an amazing film, as I could see why the East German government banned it. What's even more amazing is that the screenplay was actually approved--and the banning only occurred after a change in the government ushered in new attitudes that were far less tolerant of dissent. The offending material included a kangaroo court where the family of the accused isn't even allowed to attend the trial or have any idea why their family member was incarcerated as a political prisoner, a judge who cheats on his wife as well as a drunk man who laughs when a military man drowns! Clearly, these were all very unpatriotic sentiments--the sort that would have caused no problems in the West but were simply suppressed in the Soviet-controlled East Germany.

It's sad, as although the film was quite brave and occasionally interesting, it also runs at a glacial pace. An interesting idea that became uninteresting over time--and that was quite frustrating. But because of the history of the film, that was enough to keep me watching--though I doubt if that will be enough for many viewers.

What's surprising is not that "Das Kaninchen bin ich"'s viewing was banned in East Germany, but that its production was ever permitted in the first place. The film's plot is simple: their parents dead, apolitical nineteen-year-old Maria Morzeck and her brother Dieter live with their aunt. Maria works as a waitress, hoping to go to university to become a translator or travel agent, when Dieter is accused of unspecified acts against the state and jailed for three years. By chance Maria meets Paul Deister, the married judge who sentenced Dieter; judge and Maria proceed to fall in love and carry on a happy affair. What attracts Deister and Maria is never made apparent. The characters are under-developed, but Das Kaninchen's criticism of the DDR's legal system is multi-faceted and striking. At Dieter's trial the prosecutor clears the courtroom of all unauthorized spectators, supposedly in order to serve state security. When Maria asks why only she and her aunt are expelled while the other 20 members of the public remain, she's told the others were invited, leaving the viewer to wonder how many presumed common citizens are working for the Stasi. Such chilling questions regarding machinations of the state are raised with a wry humor which lends this film a delightful charm. Paul's character throughout remains a mystery to both the viewer and Maria. He seems to be a nice enough person, but then so does his wife – why is he cheating on her? Can Maria influence Paul to reduce Dieter's sentence? Paul was apparently harsh with Dieter out of genuine faith in the state apparatus, but how sincere are Paul's beliefs, how ideologically-driven are his actions really? Maria and Paul's actions and their motivations have personal and political aspects which only become clear with the film's dramatic conclusion.

The bravery to tackle an issue that has even brought the risk of being locked up is what I mostly admire about this film. Although it took quarter of a century before it finally reaches the public, its being locked up seems to have preserved the radiant significance of its history--that, "for its struggle," it passed through several revisions of its script along the path of censorship.The actors' performances were magnificent and deserves a remark such swell. The treatment of the film, despite the seriousness of the issue tackled, remains not wholly burdened. What's noticeable to me are the matches used in the film to shift an event from space and time to the next. "The Rabbit is Me" is a truly precious work that lead a trend in the GDR documents. Special, 'tis! I'm giving this film an 8.

The Rabbit is Me had gracefully risen from its 25-year sleep after it was banned in 1965 and tagged as a "security threat" to the former GDR.

I'm really impressed at how this film has bravely tackled the once-taboo issue of questionable criminal justice system in East Germany, and how it fought the severe imposition of censorship that resulted to several revisions on the script.

The story is biting and not dragging unlike other several DEFA films I've seen. The actors are good; Angelika Waller's (Maria Morzeck) performance is amazing. The technical style is impressive considering that this film was shot in the 60's. (It introduced several innovations like the use of a hand-held tape recorder).

Although I've seen some loopholes in the story and questionable continuity in some scenes, "The Rabbit Is Me" gained my respect.

I'll give this film an 8!