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From: Chloe Kimber
Category: Films
Date: 14 August 2003
Having never watched any German films before, I had neither a reference point nor any preconceptions. For those in similar position, 'Goodbye Lenin!' is a perfect representation of a country's film talent. Set in East Berlin just on the cusp of the change between a socialist state to a society that is open to The West. The film is set against the background of the collapse of the Berlin Wall and all it represented. It settles on a family whose existence is shaped by the hegemony of the time. The family is led by Christiane, who is a dedicated socialist. She falls into a coma just before the decline of the regime in East Germany. Her son Alex decides to protect her from the truth of the social change over the eight months she had been asleep. Her health is so fragile, Alex has to construct elaborate, creative (and comical) ways to keep her reality alive and limit the truth about the actual massive changes. The film has observations touching on the nostalgic of the era, historic, cultural, political and of course capitalist. It is sad, heartfelt, with a lively humorous edge to it that keeps the plot and the interplay between characters running smoothly, and convincingly. It is a socially aware drama, part love story; which is taut, watertight, well acted and well produced. Go see!
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