Changes

It's been quite a long time since my previous update...

So here's a simple one.

I'm making certain changes... it's like trial and error...

I'll try my new methods for this coming week =D

I'm still learning, and learning never stops. That's the best part of it.

I'll come up with a longer post when I'm more free and have more to post about xD

Later~

Die Welle

Я смотрела очень интересный немецкий фильм на последнем немецком уроке. Я люблю этот фильм. Этот фильм "Die Welle".

Translation: I watched a very interesting German movie in the previous German class. I love that film. The film is called "Die Welle".

Not too sure if the grammar is all correct or not, but that's the main idea I wanted to express... Of course the sentences are still rather simple, but that's still the level I'm at currently >.< style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);">Basically, the movie is about a group of students called "Die Welle" - hence the title, and their teacher as the leader of the group.
The story starts of with a mild start - normal life, a bit of funny moments here and there... just normal student life... (or at least what's considered normal in Western culture)

Then it gets messed up - seriously messed up. In fact, so messed up that it leaves a rather disheartening feeling in me after I've watched it.

The end didn't ease the feeling either. It was so..... mixed..... I could not categorize it as a happy or sad ending - or both - no matter how I try. It was just so... way beyond words.

I don't think I should spoil the movie, because the true feeling comes from watching it yourself (though I doubt most of you would do so).
I have, though, told the whole story to a few of my friends who have not watched it... and though their reactions weren't as strong as the ones who actually watched the whole thing, it did have somewhat of an impact on them as well.

Why do I like this movie so much?

Well, first of all, I found out at the very end from the German teacher that the movie itself is based on a true story. That made the whole experience all the more creepier.

Second, for me the movie is very symbolic - in so many ways.
The plot itself is set in modern Germany, however it raises questions about the country's bloody past, about Nazism, about fascism.

At the beginning of the story, the teacher questions the class:
"Do you think autocracy can happen again in Germany?"

The class, initially does not agree at all. However, the teacher then decided to "experiment" on the students. He imposed rules, made them more "patriotic" and turned them into a close-knit group called Die Welle.

Then things turn ugly. (No spoilers here - go find out yourself xD)

Ok, so let me list out the symbolism I find (in my opinion) from the movie.

Die Welle - Nazi Germany

The students - Nazis

The teacher - A very strict German leader (i.e. Hitler)

School uniform - Military uniform

Synchronized marching to disrupt the class below them (lol) - Working together to destroy the enemies

The student's eagerness to follow every single order of the teacher - How easy it is for people to be manipulated. It also somehow shows how people seem to obey Hitler without any complaints.

The respect of the students towards the teacher - We all know for a fact that Hitler mass murdered enemies without mercy. History tells us that he was a cruel "monster". But that wasn't completely the case during the time of Nazi Germany. In fact, Hitler was supported and respected by many (because at that time people were more focused on winning against the enemy rather than world peace). Hitler's charisma and influential speaking styles made him a well-respected leader to many - that is, until the Nazi started to fall apart...

German culture - My German teacher told us after the movie that in Germany (right now) students don't wear uniforms at all. Furthermore, unlike in Malaysia (where we sing Negaraku every Monday, and even hear it on the radio every single morning), in Germany they do not have this sort of rule.
In fact, quite a number of them do not know the complete song... that is the case even of the Russians.
If you were to ask me why this is so, I would say that it is most likely an indirect effect of the past. Unlike Malaysia, which has never been involved in any big war (merely been "occupied" by greater forces), countries like Germany and Russia have a deep and bloody past behind them. School uniforms terminates discrimination between the rich and the poor, but it limits freedom and is similar to the military system of the past, where uniforms are almost always associated with the militia.
As for the anthem, I believe it is the same case. Anthems are meant to raise patriotism among citizens, but it does carry some sort of risk of raising "ultranationalism". It also reminds Germany of its past where soldier march and sing the anthems with great pride, even upon death. (I think O_o). This is not to say that they are any less patriotic just because they do not have the rule of singing the national anthem, but it just shows how the culture is molded from the past, whether good or bad.

There may be more symbols that I didn't include here, because that is all I can think of for now xD
Well, all in all, the movie had a HUGE impact on me.
When a student used a gun and pulled the trigger, I felt as if I was shot. The other students watching the movie all jumped in shock as well. That shows the power of the movie.

That's it for now ^^
A rather long post, eh?

Later~!