The White Ribbon (2009)

Strange things start happening in a tiny German village in the year 1913. It seems that the children seem to be at the heart of the mystery.

     This is one of those foreign films that is so far superior to American films, it's shocking. The subtlety, the symbols, the characters...it's all done so well, so delicately, it's like looking at a classical painting brought to life. 

    As with most foreign films, it's very long and slow-moving. Lots of interesting things happen though, it could have been a lot worse. The movie also has one of the most beautiful love stories I've ever seen, which was a tiny glimmer in an otherwise very dark story. Another beautiful scene involves a small child and his father, it gives hope to the viewer that purity and love can survive even in the most parched of environments.

    I read that the movie is a symbol of the birth of the Nazi mindset. I believe that, but I think there are many layers to a film this complex and well-done; it explores issues with class, family, sexuality, but the repression that is key to the movie definitely supports the mental ripening of Germany for Hitler, even though it takes place just before WWI when Germany was utterly decimated. This is a terrific movie to study and- for those interested in the German language - the dialogue is relatively simple so it's easy to follow. 
    Foreign films FTW!