I have seen this film in early 2023, just that you know the context of my review. This also applies to Der Kandidat which can not be seen (or appreciated) without its historic context as it's (like its predecessor Deutschland im Herbst) an interesting insight into the division of West German post war society (that's still visible in the unified Germany of the 2020s with the divisions caused by official Covid policies or the discussions around the Russian Invasion of Ukraine or the still extremely differing views on NATO or the German Green Party. So, although obviously dated, this film still bears some relevance for those interested in German post war history and society. The other two existing user reviews do not acknowledge that (with aliensexgods review being remarkably awkward).
If you are not familiar with West German post war history/politics and the huge divisions in Germany's post war society this film will be a rather tedious watch (Volker Schlöndorff or Alexander Kluge completists may be warned). It might also be important to do your own research on Franz Josef Strauss (the Candidate) and his postion (in politics as well as in public opinion) in West German post war society, because Der Kandidat is not non opinionated documentary. This film is (like Deutschland im Herbst) an attempt to create a counter public opinion that's not been displayed in the established West German Media (newspapers, TV, radio) of that time period. Today you would find similar approaches on YouTube.
This film takes you deeply into the West German left wing angst of the 1970s/1980s: the resurgence of a nationalist/conservative as well as fundamentally capitalist and corrupt movement in West Germany (that's also an alternative continuation of naziculture), the angst of a nuclear war (Germany would have been the main battlefield of tactical nuclear weapons), the manipulative character of German main stream media, that only publishes established (mostly moderate conservative) opinions and within all that the demonization of more left wing (not even radical) alternative policies (like the Green Party).
Apart from the now dated discussion on the possibility of FJS, who was kind of the Antichrist of the West German Left, to be able to build and lead a strongly anticommunist and antisocialist West German government, this film gives you a glimpse into German Cold War culture and you will be able to see scenes from the founding Congress of the German Green Party in 1979 in Karlsruhe (an important event in German History/Politics).
The film also displays a rather naive view on soviet politics (we are talking Breshnev here) fueled by a strong anti NATO, anti US sentiment, which is still visible in todays Germany, where the same opinions (by the same people?) are applied, with a very tame and uncritical, nearly understanding, approach to Wladimir Putin and an overly critical opinion regarding NATO and the US. And again this is paired with a mistrusting view an mainstream media.
Please excuse the long review. After all, i would recommend the film to everyone interested in as well as already informed about West German Post War Culture.
