Die bleierne Zeit (1981)

«The Leaden Times» (1981), a powerful drama by German director Margarethe von Trotta, is not just a chronicle of one of the most turbulent periods in German history, but also a profound exploration of sisterly bonds, both fractured and strengthened by ideological differences and tragedy. The film offers a piercing look at the personal consequences of political radicalism, masterfully intertwining the public with the intimate. Von Trotta, known for her attention to female characters and their inner struggles, here reaches a peak in depicting complex, contradictory fates, bringing questions of moral choice and guilt to the forefront.

Plot (spoiler-free)

At the center of the narrative are two German sisters, Marianne and Juliane, whose life paths diverged amidst the political upheavals of the mid-1970s. Marianne chooses the path of radicalization and joins a terrorist cell, while Juliane builds a career as a writer and becomes an activist, fighting injustice through words. When Marianne, in a desperate situation, asks her sister to shelter her four-year-old son, Juliane's refusal triggers a chain of tragic events, leading to the suicide of Marianne's ex-husband and the boy's placement with the state. The conflict between the sisters intensifies when Marianne, already part of a militant group, uses Juliane for her own purposes, while simultaneously ridiculing her more moderate lifestyle and forms of protest. While Juliane battles the system in print, Marianne commits armed terrorist acts, including bank robberies. Further developments plunge Juliane into guilt after Marianne's mysterious death in prison, pushing her into an obsessive search for the truth and evidence that her sister was officially "silenced."

Why watch

• Profound exploration of sisterly relationships: The film brilliantly demonstrates how deep affection and love can coexist with irreconcilable ideological differences and profound resentments.
• Directed by Margarethe von Trotta: One of the key figures of New German Cinema, von Trotta offers an exceptionally female yet universal perspective on political conflict, focusing on internal struggles and moral choices.
• Relevant themes: The film raises timeless questions about radicalization, the role of violence in achieving goals, state power, personal responsibility, and the search for truth amidst information manipulation.
• Strong dramaturgy: «The Leaden Times» is an emotionally intense film, maintaining suspense through its plot development, complex characters, and the inevitable tragic consequences of choices.
• Historical context: The film is an important cultural document, reflecting the tense atmosphere of 1970s Germany, when political violence and counterculture reached their peak.

Themes

«The Leaden Times» covers a multitude of profound themes: the nature of political radicalism and its origins; the inextricable link and simultaneous conflict between personal and political life; the burden of guilt and the need for atonement; the struggle for justice through various methods — from intellectual protest to armed underground activity; and the fundamental question of what exactly determines our destiny — character or circumstances. The film analyzes how the same era can give rise to diametrically opposite reactions in people with similar backgrounds, and how family ties are tested in the face of ideological confrontation.

Verdict

«The Leaden Times» is a cinematic work that remains relevant to this day. Under Margarethe von Trotta's direction, with strong acting performances (notably by Barbara Sukowa and Jutta Lampe, if considering the most famous names from the list), the film doesn't offer simple answers but invites viewers to deeply ponder the cost of convictions, the destructive power of fanaticism, and the enduring importance of human connections. This is a film for those who appreciate poignant dramas that explore the complex facets of human nature against the backdrop of socio-political storms. A must-see for fans of intellectual and emotionally rich cinema.