Baader Meinhof Complex

The Baader Meinhof Complex is a stylized movie about the upcoming and disillusioning of the Red Army Faction. (RAF)

Started by a protest against the Shah of Iran leading to the unprovoked death of Benno Ohnesorg, Gudrun Ensslin helps carry out fire bombings at a local department store in retaliation. Caught by police, they were put on trial and is interviewed by Ulrike Meinhof. Meinhof's life in the RAF is covered until her "suicide" in prison followed by the declining years of the RAF. While the film is said to cover many details of the real accounts of the Red Army Faction, it is often criticized for glamourizing terrorism and the success of the attacks. It is also criticized for focusing too much on the protagonists (RAF) and not enough on the political side of things. which according to Siegfried Buback, carries the danger of people identifying too much with the RAF.

personal reflection: The Ideals of the Red Army Faction can still be heard today with tactical changes in approach. Where Guns and bombs use to speak loudest, now can(and frequently is) replaced with widespread protests, Hacking and social media.