Germany, Pale Mother

“Germany, Pale Mother”

The movie Germany, Pale Mother is not the typical story of an ordinary family mainly because of the horrors National Socialism and war has brought to Germany. Pale Mother is a powerful movie on the societal changes and turmoil during and shortly after Nazi Germany. The movie extensively uses propaganda elements, emotional and physical pain and focuses on the plight of “Heimkehrer”, returning soldiers. This movie shows the cost of war by focusing on the experiences of the main protagonists Hans and Lene and their daughter Anna. The Pale mother is ironic in the sense that what could have been a great story about two individuals who fall in love, turns into a disastrous relationship due through the hardship the couple went through. The movie can be broken down in three time periods and three stages of their relationship. In the beginning Lene and Hans fall in love during the time in which Germany is in the process of Nazifying itself. Then the war period starts and the estrangement between Lene and Hans started. Lastly, the war ends and the German reconstructing period started, however Lene’s and Hans’s relationship completely breaks down and a war front in their own home opened up.

In the beginning of the movie everything pointed towards a happy and fulfilling romance between Lene and Hans. Both were not in the Nazi party and were just trying to mind their own business living a happy life and spending time together. However, it was clear that this is a tumultuous time where nobody was safe. Lene’s neighbors Rachel Bernstein was taken away in the middle of the night. This whole scene was just seen as a normality at the time, she was Jewish, and hence she was taken away. At this point Lene made up her mind that she was going to marry Hans. This shows how Lene is just trying to seek for normality in a time where it as impossible to have an ordinary life. This is an unjust time, where Nazi members stay at home to help with the “Heimfront” and propaganda, whereas innocent people were sent to the war front to fight a cruel war.

During the war period it becomes clear that Hans was not made to be a soldier and struggled greatly with adapting to this new environment. Hans was sent to kill but was unable to do so. Similarly, Lene tried to uphold her ordinary life by trying to be a good wife and make a nice blouse to impress Hans. When Hans come back he was anxious to escape from his horrors by demanding sex from Lene. Lene feeling uncomfortable and unappreciated was unable to give him what he wants. However, both still believe that they can come back after the war and have a happy family. The hope of a better future is what kept them going and was why Lene asked Hans to help her get a child, so that she always has a part with her reminding her of him. The time apart grows longer and a child was born to Lene which she named Anna while Hans was fighting in Russia. The next meeting shows the heavy toll the war has been taking on the family where Hans is completely estranged from his daughter finding her cries irritating.

In the reconstruction period after the war was the time both Lene and Hans thought would bring them the long sought for happiness and peace they were looking for. However these hopes where shattered, as the horrors of war have crushed the couple’s intimacy. When they first saw each other they tried to have sex but both admitted that they are unable too. From then on this loss in intimacy was never recovered. Hans was being harsh on Anna trying to train her in the way he sees her fit. This bothered Lene and caused to dramatic conflicts between the couple. Lene started developing severe mental and physical conditions which caused her to feel depressed about her life, the only thing which kept her alive was her daughter. However the lack of love and recognition by Hans when he came back ultimately crushed her more than the war horrors.

Section II

“Night Watch” and “Fenist, the Bright Falcon”

“Night Watch” is the fictional thriller directed by Kazakh director Timur Berkmanbetov and

focuses on the battle between dark and light and their goal to convince Egor to join their side. This movie illustrates how choices made with bad intention will impact characters negatively in the future. The fairytale Fenist, the Bright Falcon on the other hand focuses on how perseverance and commitment to a cause will lead to ultimate success. Both stories use