THE LIFE OF OTHERS

This piece was contributed by the latest entrant into team Mustard, Sneha Piareji. She writes about an off-beat German film and the impressions it left on her.

I recently happened to receive a number of mails from friends who’d seen the critically acclaimed film, The Lives of Others, and thought very highly of it. They all urged me to go and watch it. I made a mental note to catch the film, but unfortunately it was taken out of the theatres before I could make plans. Possibly to make way for a Bollywood staple.

My roommate had a pleasant surprise for us one Saturday evening when she got back from office. She had managed to get hold of a DVD of the film. The rest of us rushed through our chores and were soon assembled in front of the television. We were about to begin when the same roomie received a call on her cell—one of those never-ending calls. So it was only after a thoroughly frustrating half-hour delay that we could begin our private screening.

The film is set in Germany in the year 1984. The film explores the root cause of fear during that era. I was able to relate to the protagonist, his loneliness owing to the cause he had dedicated his life to and a total disillusionment around the end of the film. I had been through a similar phase once. I had foregone comforts and abandoned responsibilities. My decision had not just affected me, but also those who were close to me. Halfway down the journey, I began doubting my decision. Maybe this was not what I wanted; maybe this was not meant for me. Was it worth the pain, the trouble, the loneliness?

The film showcased the operations of the Stasi who were hated because they made it their business ‘to know everything’. The film portrayed ground realities and we found portions of it a little extreme. We later discussed the film and thanked heavens that we weren’t under any kind of surveillance. Sometimes even genuine enquiries by well-meaning neighbours make us uncomfortable. Imagine what it would be like to be constantly under the scanner.

I had always imagined Germany as this cold, distant land populated by cold, unfeeling people. I ascribe this outlook entirely to Hollywood. Maybe the films I have seen and the characters in them have something to do with it. Perhaps the history lessons in school involving Hitler and his troop of Nazis have also coloured my vision. But it all changed when my brother gave a personal account of how people over there really are—open, warm and friendly.

I felt glad in the end of the film with the ‘fall of Berlin wall.’ I suddenly remembered Doordarshan. Even though it’s been long, I somehow remember the crowd celebrating the meeting of East and West Germany. I wasn’t glad for Germany, but the fact that I remember the scene played on the news, though just a fraction.