self destruction

Silberman: "this suicide transforms the imaginary escape from reality into a desperate wish to transfix the past as memory and to deny the present. It is the most radical break possible with the past and at the same time it is an admission of helplessness in confronting reality. The other characters are similarly victims of their desperate wishes and self destructive actions." (p.95) While I agree with Silberman's claims here, that the film seems to want to escape from the past, I also am confused by this claim. I am confused because I know this film was made in Nazi Germany, and was approved by Goebbels, however, the message of the film seems to be counter to the powers that be. I suppose that by 1943 the censors were more concerned with other matters, namely the war. It is also noteworthy that this movie was commercially successful, which is another reason that the Reich promoted it- monetary gain.


It just strikes me that the film is nearly condemning the nazi party to death by some self inflicted wound, because it has been lusting after its own desires without regard to other nations. If this is even remotely true, it is amazing that the film ever saw the light of day.


[sorry for the post being late. I lost track of time studying for another class. apologies.]