Die Welle (2008)
Genre: Drama
Duration: 110 minuten
Alternative title: The Wave
Country:
Germany
Directed by: Dennis Gansel
Stars: Jürgen Vogel, Frederick Lau and Jennifer Ulrich
IMDb score:
7,6 (121.966)
Releasedate: 11 March 2008
Die Welle plot
"Evil is something that you learn"
Gymnasium teacher Rainer Wenger starts a project in his class during a study week with the subject of 'State Forms', with the intention of making a dictatorship tangible. What starts off innocently with concepts such as peer pressure and discipline develops after a few days into a serious movement called Die Welle. Already on the third day the students start to exclude dissenters and one conflict after another escalates.
Actors and actresses
Rainer Wenger
Tim
Marco
Karo
Anke Wenger
Sinan
Lisa
Dennis
Bomber
Jens
Reviews & comments
Vidi well
-
- 553 messages
- 722 votes
I watch this film every year with my students (I work in secondary education) and it always catches on. Although I personally think the ending is a bit over the top, it doesn't detract from the message. Strong film, and the raw imagery makes it even better for me.
Translated from Dutch · View original
wednesday
-
- 46 messages
- 688 votes
I found the concept of this movie very interesting and it has been on my list of movies to watch for a long time.
Sadly disappointed. The time frame in which the film passes is absolutely incompatible with the events that take place, the ending is completely over the top even with that knowledge and the acting is never better than okay. Too bad, because that means the message is lost. At the end of the film I just couldn't take it seriously anymore and I only remember the unrealistic drama.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Fisico
-
- 10039 messages
- 5398 votes
Just like the film Das Experiment (2001) not filmed for the first time and also based on empirical experiments. Die Welle gives a penetrating look at how fragile or strong the group feeling can express itself. Own ranks are closed. The individual is subordinate to the common good. Outside individuals are banned or, at worst, intimidated.
The film brings all this in a fresh, contemporary and swinging way. Hip editing, fast pace and colorful characters ensure that the film catches on and does not bore. It also conceals the moralistic undertone that always accompanies this.
I do like such sociological investigations. The film's biggest flaw seems to be the duration. It does not seem possible to me to achieve such metamorphoses within a week - and the process begins to take on anxious forms the very next day. Sometimes it goes fast, too fast.
However, it is clear that people who do not belong anywhere or have nothing to lose are often extra vulnerable. The role of power should not be underestimated. The latter also applies to the teacher. Excellent role by Vogel. Beautiful!
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