Je Suis Karl (2021) Poster

(2021)

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7/10
The new masks of fascism
danybur2 December 2021
Summary

Christian Schwochow's film is a disturbingly topical dystopia, an incursion into the renewed modes and operations of the new neo-fascist youth movements in Europe and which find their replicas in other parts of the world, such as the so-called "libertarians" of Argentina. For instance. A pan-European phenomenon with TED conventions and progressive clothes and manners that will reveal, with the excuse of insecurity, his white supremacist motivations against immigrants and his vocation for power. And that raises a question: how solid do our principles stand when we become victims?

Review

After suffering a family loss, Maxi, a young student (Luna Wedler) is seduced by Karl, a young far-right activist (Jannis Niewöhnner) and introduced into a European neo-fascist youth movement.

Maxi is seduced by the beautiful Karl (a Machiavellian Jannis Niewöhnner, in a character reminiscent of the protagonist of Hater) and invites her to meet Re / Generation, an organization for "change". To what extent will someone who is processing a grief allow themselves to be used? Will it follow the path of the protagonist of the film Hadewijch, by Dumont? What ideological changes can the condition of victim produce? Luna Wedler (the protagonist of the Biohackers series) deals with an ambiguity that makes her character very interesting. The opposite of her is Alex, her father (great performance by Milan Peschel), who has other ways of processing a duel that will distance them.

Beyond some script weaknesses, Christian Schwochow's film is a disturbing foray into the renewed modes and operations of the new neo-fascist youth movements in Europe. It should be noted that the phenomenon is not limited to the Old Continent, since it finds its replica in the so-called "libertarians" of Argentina, for example.

We are far from the world of proletarian neo-fascists sons of German reunification. It is now about organizations (in this case the fictitious Re / Generation; attention with its logo) to which middle class young people adhere, many of them students, who organize conventions with TED talks and new age airs, making intensive use of social networks and who spuriously seize slogans, topics and ways of the progressive left. The mask of false progressivism does not take long to fall and show its true face, its obsession and its fanaticism: a pan-European white supremacism whose target is immigrants and which agitates the issue of "insecurity" and "change"; It is a phenomenon that does not end in watertight nationalisms because "they - immigrants - are everywhere." The film, focused on young people, leaves out of the field the economic interests that move behind and that sustain these movements and groups, very organized and with a vocation for power, and who do not repair the means to achieve it.

Je suis Karl describes a real state of affairs and goes one step further, painting a disturbingly topical dystopia.
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6/10
The Youth of Europe - comes with a warning, don't let bad reviews stop you seeing it
OJT17 October 2021
I take the bad reviews here are due to this film either not are being understood, or that some refuse to take it in - the danger of youth wanting to change society from what it is today, maybe drastically. It's not a coincidence this film is made by Germans. It comes with a warning.

A reference to this film would be The Wave, which is filmed both by Amercans and Germans, based on a true story.

This movie starts off very interesting, and within 15 minutes I'm sold.

We see a young couple driving across the border into Germany hiding a refugee which they smuggle in. Then we wind maybe 20 years forward, where we see the same family being freak hit by a terrorist attack. And this leads to us following the daughter Maxi and father being left broken. The daughter is being approached by journalists and others, among them a very charming an pretty young man, in whom she involves.

The film is well mde, but doesn't overexplain. It's down to you as a viewer to decide what you see. I think many modern viewers watch movies while they look at their mobile phones. This makes them need aoverexplaining to get the point of a movie. They are easily confused by narratives and jumps in time.

This film gives warnings. Warnings which makes me think of the environmental movement more than nazi- or terrorist-movements, but this is fiction which comes with a warning, put into an interesting story. Just watch it with an open mind!
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6/10
Believable build up, ending a let down
sbaines-9474428 September 2021
I rated this film 6/10 because of its sensitive and believable build up of how someone might be drawn into "the scene".

Radicalisation of any kind starts with either desperation or charm. The film builds this up slowly and sensitively, with a youth scene which is attractive and seemingly advocating a "new" right movement. This part was well handled and explained. The ending seemed glib, rushed and unbelievable. The actors were charismatic and deserve credit.
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7/10
Good movie, but I would have cut it differently
leoniehoffmann20 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This film does a good job at showing how populism works, but I think it could have been even better had they structuered the story differently.

I think the movie would have benefitted even more from a limited view point, following mostly Maxi as she gets drawn into this organisation. Karl is charasmatic, he is young, intellegent and handsome and he uses all these things to convince people of his cause. And this is why it would have been great if we would find out that he is actually the one responsible for the bomb attack and his own murder at the end. This would have drawn attention to the fact how easily some could get manipulated. Show how these technics work first hand. Of course because of the sensitive matter at hand this is always problematic. But imagine rooting for him and Maxi throughout the movie just to find out he had been the bad guy all along together with Maxi whose whole world get shaddered again.

Also I think a lot of subtle things are easy to overlook while watching if you don't get aware of them. For example the song texts. The moment I knew that they were right winged I really listened to the text and read the lyric subtitles, but had I not know them I would have maybe ignored them. The music is extremly catchy and that is their purpose. It kind of brain washes you over time hearing these messages subconsiously.

Not to forget Karls friend from Wien (sorry I don't remember his name). He has a very distinct scar on his face and if you are familiar with Burschenchaften in Germany and Austria this is a instant red flag. It is so subtle and beautiful that if we hadn't known the political orientation of this group this would have already made some people suspicious.

In all I think the movie would have benefited from a later reveal of what Karl and his friends planed and did, but the film is still good at a represantation of how populism works.
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7/10
To the director's credit
DaegT23 September 2021
Very simple, out-of-the-box story. I think most people can figure it out in no more than 30 minutes. Me too. But then? In for a penny, in for a pound. I kept bingeing it and the the atmosphere got a bit tenser afterwards. With a simple story like this, it's really up to the director and the protagonist to prevent u from getting bored. They've done well. I would say they are above average.

Luna Wedler is a bit overact in certain emotional scenes. Yet, all in all, she is a bright actress and I love her performances in several films including this one.
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4/10
a massive movement consisting of some hooligans
joeysaurus2 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The film is highly implausible. Whether this is due to a lazy screenwriter or too small a budget? Probably both. At no point does the so-called gigantic nationalist movement transcend the small rooms or its own ranks. There is talk of sympathizers within the army, we don't get to see them either. The first half of the film wants to convince the viewer that we are dealing with an innovative movement. But then, an hour into the film, suddenly the story takes a turn. It seems as if the audience has to believe ah they are nazis after all... yes of course.

The movement gains momentum. We never get to see the large crowds of sympathizers. 60% of all eligible voters? Where are they.

Then suddenly after the murder, the viewer is led to believe that there is an outbreak of violence on a European scale. Coordinated and leading to a continent-wide coup?
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7/10
Who's Karl
kosmasp19 March 2022
Not an easy subject matter - but the message is clear. And violence never is the answer ... uncertainty isn't either. But it is something that some people are able to tap into. If you are afraid, if you think certain things may happen, if the press is reporting on things ... you may be subject to something ... you may be used for something ... and you may become the face (or name, no pun intended) - unintentionally.

Rough on the edges and within, this has quite a few issues - again no pun intended. I wanted to watch this at the cinema, but was not able to go there. So now that it was released for home viewing, I did just that. Maybe in cinemas I would not have noticed some of the flaws, but I reckon I would have there too. The pace is a bit all over the place - still the issue at hand is more than important.
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7/10
Slow moving but great story
imranahmedsg10 January 2023
Je Suis Karl may be cliched in many respects but the movie does represent the chaos, confusion and resultant dangers of our times.

A scared, young survivor of an attack becomes another victim of a radical, extremist group plotting to shift opinion through the savvy use of social media.

For some, the film will be an eye opener about the lengths to which some groups are willing - and able - to go to further their political agendas.

Je Suis Karl is a believable story set in the backdrop of the political polarization found not only in Europe but across many parts of the world.

The movie may move slowly initially but the story picks up pace as the plot unfolds. A worthwhile film for the politically inclined film goer.
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1/10
Je Suis Winston Smith
clubcinema-3465624 September 2021
I'm really not sure what show those who've written these gleaming reviews watched. Or perhaps they're actually network shills, which makes quite a bit more sense.

So painful to watch. Bad story, obviously written by a sensitive millennial. Zero chemical between the main characters. Bad music, bad dance, ridiculous.

Literally so many things wrong with this movie it would take an essay.

Cannot rate it lower.
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9/10
A movie that will make you think
bastienquewet-7719111 October 2021
Let's first start with the most important thing: don't look at the rating.

First, look at the comment and you'll understand why the general rating is so low: people obviously didn't get it and decided to put a 1/10 just because of it.

The truth is: this movie is a very good one.

People say the acting is bad: I hope those saying that are actually producers, actors, writers because: how can they judge ? Especially knowing the actors have both very good references, as well as the creator.

People say the story is bad: well if you don't get the details and the story behind, maybe.

But if you do, what a movie!

The true face of the far-right, far from what you would initially think. How someone can come from an extreme and reach the total opposite due to a single event.

The kind of movie that will make you think about the society, politics, and maybe even yourself.
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1/10
Cringe factor 11 out of 10
bforbrett26 September 2021
You know that feeling you get when you see someone dancing really badly, so much so that it makes you feel embarrassed? That's kinda like what watching this movie is like. No redeeming attributes whatsoever.
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1/10
Bad and boring...
screamyever1 October 2021
Bad script, bad dialogs, unlogic behavior of the characters, too long, boring... I can't recommend this movie at all...
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1/10
Who Wrote this Garbage?? And Why??
arrmeen2 October 2021
And why did Netflix produce this nonsense? What was the point behind making this movie?? Was someone so frustrated during COVID times that they just opened their laptop and started typing some garbage from all around world events, compiled it and sent it to the director, who for some reason thought ok let's get into the mind of people cause people will watch anything.

This movie has Zero characters, nonsense story right from the beginning and most annoying screenplay.

Avoid it like a sneeze during COVID.
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2/10
Why
actionaccount26 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I give 2 stars for the beginning which was intruiging. But then... The national party people consisted of beautiful, slim, young people. I knew it was a german movie, also on Netflix. So all those charismatic promises from the declared enemy of the state, in real life, everyone that has a different opinion than the mainstream, would have a bitter bargain most likely at the end. And there it was. The young right-wing-radicals actually shoot people on the street. And very much so, they really shoot black people. Of course, this had to be shown explicitly. This movie is propaganda. Show me movies, where left-wingers shoot white families in the street, then, but while writing this I noticed this is already in normalization, cinema-wise. It's a shame.

But in the end I must say, this movie is very funny. The audacity to show this to people and nobody cares. It's a divine joke.
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9/10
so so underrated
xxdaisyxbonesxx26 September 2021
Besides the fact that the acting is just beyond magnificent, the whole story is shocking. I literally cried at least three times while watching & I'm definitely going to rewatch.

Some people might think it shows a way too one-sided perspective, but if you think about it a little it's actually a lot deeper.

The film shows that extremism can come from all sides & can be equally dangerous & dangerous. Instrumentalization goes undetected for too long & not everything you think is really right. Complex thinking is important.

I rated 9/10 stars because the age restriction should be significantly higher in my opinion. Young people could be misinfluenced & misguided if they do not understand the message.
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Orientation towards reality: Yes, but no.
Mei_Mei_9316 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The film was obviously based on the "Identitarian Movement". Unfortunately, the role of victim and perpetrator is reversed in the film. A film is fiction, but when you criticize society, you should be guided by reality. The film joins the ranks of countless mainstream films: Strangers = Good; Autochthonous critics = Bad.
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1/10
Controversy and propaganda
Valid_ID28 April 2022
This movie relies on controversy to draw attention.

As European, I found the story to be pure propaganda. In reality, no side is thoroughly blameless, but this movie wants the audience to think that one side is all evil, and the other completely innocent and good. I call BS!
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5/10
Could have been so much better.
brsger14 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This movie does so much right.

Two charismatic and energetic main characters.

Astonishing sound design.

Great effects.

Solid set designs.

ORIGINAL SONGS, and a lot of them. Nice!

Actually investing some budget for once into action scenes.

Good, steady pace.

And pretty much the first act is without flaws in my opinion.

I'd love to give this a 9/10 rating.

But what the h*** were they thinking storywise??

And intriguing promise with a political youth movement, with spreads its wings across all of Europe, it's not unrealistic. There are several parties which do comparable marketing work amongst the young sitting in the European parliament.

But suddenly there all-mighty? Their plan is to fully escalate and attack even before their first successful election goes through?

The actually expect the police and justice apparatus to not be on their toes? Not exposing their rather poorly planned stunts?

Absolutely ridiculous.

Maybe this would have worked out as a mini-series.

But having Jannik Niewöhner's pretty boy character turn extreme without giving any context about why he acts the way he does... He's calm and collected, stoic and smart at one moment, then suddenly falls out of his senses due to, what... Ecstacy? Huh???

Absolute nonsense, which forbids the development of ANY emotional connection.

I was invested, truly, up until maybe 50 mins into the movie. Even at second viewing.

But then it all falls apart.

I wasn't worried, or scared, or angry or ANYTHING at the big climatic end.

Because the script gave me no reason to.

Movies can and maybe even should be political.

But your message really does not get across if you do it like that.

Instead, you're embarrassing yourself.

Still a 5/10 for technical aspects, pace, acting, natural dialogue (ignore after the first hour) and cinematography.

The story and direction is a 2/10 at best.
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8/10
It's a movie designed to entertain
pumpjackdude29 May 2022
It seems difficult for so many to watch a movie these days simply to be entertained. I found the acting, story line and production to be top-notch. It's not a documentary folks. Just enjoy it!
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9/10
Smart, profound with great plot
billbostonick23 September 2023
The story slowly grows into a great pathos architected in a very smart way with feelings and weaknesses exploited in directions that are unexpected first and amazingly obvious in the aftermaths.

Drawing on the fears that are often attributed to immigrants, it could be easy to trigger an avalanche effect among the populations of western Europe (and maybe the western world in general) by using the new media in a poisonous way.

This movie is simply genius and does a great job in alerting possible escalations that make you think of how the same situations that brought to the second world war can be made possible today in a different sauce.
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10/10
Important message ...
rob-broekhof-125 October 2021
I've clarified this flic for myself: youth distracts themselves by partying as if there's nothing going on to try to prove what's going on.

How come?

The rich sacrifice their own people to prove their power while they actually prove their FEAR

Je suis Alone?
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