Das Boot: Director's cut

We are conditioned to form stereotypes everywhere. Cinema and media are rife with examples. We are brainwashed to believe that one side is always good, and everyone else is the enemy. Our opinions, ideology and thoughts are forged by what we consume and who we associate with. Mega conglomerates control the media, and political ideology aims to polarize the masses. We divide everyone and everything based on Language, geography, colour ,religion, and everything else in between. In such a time, Das boot stands out with its honest attempt in portraying men during war. There are no heroes or villains here, just crewmen doing their job, and listening to their Captain.

Das boot (The boat) is a German movie about a U-boat and its crew, set during WW2. The movie is based on a 1973 German book by Lothar-Günther Buchheim, who in fact was a war correspondent. He had worked for the propaganda department of the German Navy during WW2. Lt. Werner's character in this movie is said to based on Buchheim. 

Almost the entire movie consists events which happen inside the submarine. There is no hurrying, as we are introduced to each and every character and their stories. Nothing sticks out, and like going through the pages of a good book, we get to identify with the characters - the longing lover, the loving husband, and the energy of youth.

Jürgen Prochnow delivers a terrific performance as the U- boat's stoic, rock - solid, war hardened and unflinching captain. Brilliant leadership traits are on display here. Like a rock on a rough shore, his eyes betray little emotion. Faced with utmost adversity, he is unfazed and issues commands with absolutely no hint of fear. 'I need proper reports', he thunders, when his submarine is on the brink of sinking. Make no mistake, his subtle changes in expression reveal a range of emotions - hope, triumph, dedication and sadness. At no point confuse his demeanor and harsh words as those from a soulless man.

There are some absolutely gripping nail-biting sequences when the U-boat attacks enemy ships and dives, to evade anti-submarine weapons. The atmosphere is fraught with tension and the seconds move like hours. Many times I felt like I had stepped into Maat (Petty Officer) Hinrich's shoes (The radioman and sonar controller, who is the window to the outside world, while underwater). The sonar pings piercing the silence created an atmosphere of heightened awareness and I was riveted. The sounds will stay with me for a long time.

See sounds

At 3.5 Hours, it is a very long movie. But at no point I felt this. There is enough drama and tension to keep you firmly glued to your seat. Do not expect a traditional plot, character or ending. Nothing can categorize the movie, that is the brilliance.

I was amazed at the cinematography, at how the camera moved fluidly within the cramped spaces of the submarine. We feel that we are a part of the movie, living and breathing with its characters. The crew's myriad expressions are captured very well. The editing is top - notch.This is an immersive experience, best seen in the biggest of screens.

Anyone remotely interested in WW2 should not miss this masterpiece. I'm very sure I'm going to watch this gem again. Watch this version with subtitles.

*I do not own any of these images. All pictures courtesy their respective owners*

A coffee in Berlin

Image courtesy rottentomatoes.com

 
I watched this movie in a phase of Non-English movie viewings which I am in, and I am glad I did so. Being conditioned to predictability and patterns, this is a good break to appreciate viewpoints from around the world.

This movie is in black and white, and it follows a phase of a person in Berlin. There are vignettes of folks you encounter, each with his own quirks. Nikko is a dropout from Law school, and we go around Berlin encountering people.

We are taken through Nikko's interactions with normal people - the pesky neighbour (who lets you into his fragile life over an impromptu drink), the government servant at the driving license centre who asks seemingly unconnected questions, the struggling actor, the classmate from eons ago , the seemingly aggressive film maker, memories of childhood from an ageing man in a bar ( this sequence is quite brilliant, too).

Image courtesy variety.com

Nikko's relationship with his father is explored, too, somewhat briefly. Things move, without dwelling at one point or person for too long. There is no 'plot' as such, things are just the way they are, as in real life.

There is a delicate scene in which Nikko bonds with a friend's granny - I feel that this is one of the most well - crafted sequences here. Many subtle points are explored. I won't spoil it more for you.

One thing loosely ties all the encounters and people in the movie (more so, its Protagonist). There are failed attempts at a seemingly simple thing - getting a good cup of coffee. The coffee machine is broken, the lady who serves coffee is just too painful to tackle,or you're simply out of coffee.

 This is Nikko's journey. An exploration in melancholy..... and the perfect coffee. Or rather, the circumstances surrounding it. What I liked is, the general glumness throughout the movie ends with one simple moment where things work, and when hope is restored, by means of scoring a nice cup of coffee.

Image courtesy filmchair.com

There is a sequence towards the end, stills of seemingly random places - an empty road with signal lights, graffiti, buildings, train tracks,  (There is a shot which is shown in the beginning and towards the end of the movie. I remember thinking how well it is composed - figure it out :)) Reminded me how how the movie 'wraps around itself', like it does in Pan's labyrinth

I kind of feel that this is like the perfect movie, without having the depth of words to express why. This movie is definitely something which grows on you, like old friends and old wine :) Let me know what you think about it.

*I do not own any of these images. All pictures courtesy their respective owners*