I have studied the influence of politics on European cinema, particularly in France, Italy and Germany; and whilst one cannot totally dismiss the link between this film and the Nazi euthanasia programme, for me this film is more about choices... It asks the following question: "Would you assists someone you love and who is suffering if he/she would ask you?" as opposed to whether euthanasia should be made legal or anything like that. Opposite views are illustrated by the two main male characters: Thomas (played by Paul Hartmann) who is the one who "helps" Hanna to die, and Bernhard (played by Mathias Wieman) who is initially totally against the idea (Hanna has asked him to help her die, but he refused). Propaganda is about trying to convince people that your views are the right ones or justify your choices or actions. This film does not try to do either, and the proof is that it ends before the verdict is rendered... I honestly don't think this film would be considered controversial if it was done today, or indeed would it be considered Nazi propaganda...
Review of I accuse
