Edelweisspiraten (2004)

Edelweisspiraten: Directed by Niko von Glasow. With Ivan Stebunov, Bela B., Jochen Nickel, Anna Thalbach. Cologne-Ehrenfeld, November 1944. They’re young, wild and rebellious, like young people anywhere and in any time. But working-class boys Karl and his younger brother Peter are Edelweiss Pirates. They oppose the Nazis, and are pursued by the Gestapo. With the escaped concentration camp prisoner Hans Steinbrück they plan acts of sabotage, until the Gestapo take them on with their full might. When they’re arrested, Karl is torn between his will to survive, his feelings of responsibility, his love for his brother and his loyalty to the Edelweiss Pirates.

“In many ways, a genuine oddity. Itu0026#39;s a period film, yet made with a very modern, handheld shakycam style, where you can barely tell whatu0026#39;s happening, as most of the action is missed by the camera whipping past it. Some of the sound is poor, so you have to rely on subtitles, even if you can understand the German. Despite these obstacles, there are some fine performances trying to get out, and itu0026#39;s a heart-rending story of survival in the face of adversity that makes you very glad that you havenu0026#39;t had to live through it yourself. Probably worth a look for German language fans and WW2 completists, but a tough proposition for general film watchers.”