Der Tunnel

Some say that the fall of the Berlin Wall shook our own "wall," making it even stronger. Later, others claimed, "The yearning of the people for a better life is their goal." Then I must ask: what if the truly good life simply meant not having to struggle with makeshift ladders, or sit in a balloon filled with dread, or desperately dig tunnels? What if it simply meant being able to go where one wants to go, to freely speak one's mind? Is that really so hard to ask for?

How do you overcome those invisible walls?

1989 was a monumental year, with the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9th being a particularly iconic event. The human desire for freedom is an unquenchable force. Depicting those dark days makes remembrance all the more meaningful.

6/10. Interesting subject matter, but did it really need to be 3 hours long? It feels somewhat lengthy and overly sentimental in places. Also, the soldiers don't even know each other? And during the final confrontation, the East German officers are depicted as foolishly charging to the front lines just to be captured? On the West German side, how did so many journalists suddenly appear to celebrate? Sacrificing plausibility for the sake of dramatic conflict is ultimately counterproductive.

What kind of system drives family and friends to betray each other? What kind of system compels people to risk their lives for freedom?