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Reviews
Er ist wieder da (2015)
A silly satire with a serious edge and compelling critique of humanity
"Look Who's Back" is a film that follows the resurrection of Hitler in modern day Germany. Through the use of satire, the film shows how Hitler becomes acquainted to the modern world, and follows his rise to fame after being discovered by a filmmaker who mistakes him as a comedy act. As ridiculous as this concept sounds, I found this film to not only be immensely entertaining, but also successful in conveying a greater message regarding our society.
The film starts out fairly lighthearted, featuring comedic scenes as Hitler interacts with people of the public. Initially, I found it quite uncomfortable to watch, since morally it seemed wrong to laugh at Hitler and his ideas. Regardless, the absurdity of some of the scenes was so funny that I couldn't help but immerse myself in the comedy, and not focus on the controversy behind it. It is clear that the offensive jokes are meant to be purely satirical and not taken seriously (however if you are easily offended by this subject matter, this film may not be for you). As the film progresses, however, this tone quickly changes as the focus shifts onto bigger issues making the viewer once again question their own laughter.
The satirical tone is maintained for most of the film, but starts to fade as Hitler gains more power towards the end of the film. By using the public's comical view of him to his advantage, Hitler gains huge popularity on television and the media, which forms a platform allowing him to express his ideas to a larger population. The gullible consumers soon begin to view Hitler's points as more than just a comedy act, which leads them to adjust their mindsets to fit Hitler's radical political beliefs. At this point, the viewer is raised to question the influence media has on the public eye. Exposure of the wrong figures can lead consumers to the wrong ideas, as media nowadays has the potential to reach a wide range of invested people. As the social commentary starts to unfold throughout the film, it becomes clear that the purpose of the film is not just to create a humorous caricature of Hitler, but to rather use him as a tool of controversy and a representation of power gained at the hands of media influence.
This also leads viewers to question the values of society today. As displayed and mocked in the film, controversial content gains the most attention, and broadcasting platforms such as television or news channels will go to great lengths to gain this attention to maximize profit. Because of the massive influence media has on society today, where should the line be drawn when it comes to what is publicly broadcasted? This is another question fostered from this thought-provoking film.
From a cinematic standpoint, I think the movie is very well done, especially in terms of the acting and filming. Hitler's character, though exaggerated, is realistically portrayed in his imposing attitude towards others and confusion/disorientation in the time period. Additionally, the makeup and costumes make the film more believable. When it comes to the cinematography, I think that the variety of filming techniques implicated greatly enhance the film. I think it is interesting how the camera angles shift from looking down on Hitler at the beginning of the film to looking up at him at the end, which could signify Hitler's gradual rise to power. My only critique of the movie is that it is sometimes awkwardly paced and becomes confusing towards the end.
In conclusion, "Look Who's Back" is a very unique film, tackling deep issues and social/political commentary amidst an air of satire and comedy. I would definitely recommend it for its original plot and compelling critique on human nature. As long as you keep an open mind about the controversial topics mentioned, this film is definitely worth your time.