The Wave (Madman)

Author: stereonerd [07-07-2009 21:37]

Like ‘Lord Of The Flies’, ‘The Wave’ is one of those rare films that sets out to explain in real terms the kind of savagery certain types of so-called politics can reap on what we value as “humanity”.

Originally written by an American teacher in 1968 who, as an experiment, encouraged his class to take on totalitarian-type behaviour as part of a class project, this German adaptation makes a lot of sense, because it goes right to the heart of the evil that spawned dictators like Hitler and Mussolini.

Not at all dry but very instructive, it’s basically a story about a teacher who has a week-long project with his class. They formulate a movement called ‘The Wave’, which involves an insignia and an identical dress code and other trappings of fascist behaviour. Many students find it all intoxicating; for once, they are all of like mind, and more inclined to stick up for each other, and have something to live and fight for than in the normal state of anxiety we live in the “real world”.

The performances are great in what is ultimately a scary human drama with a political point to make. GARY STEEL

3.5 Stars