With imagery like that I don't think I need to translate for everyone to realise that rammstein is of... split minds about german heritage. At best. That said, I think some right wingers will...
With imagery like that I don't think I need to translate for everyone to realise that rammstein is of... split minds about german heritage. At best. That said, I think some right wingers will probably run with it again, just because of the imagery. [1] Split minds is probably accurate though, given the "want to love and curse you", "one can love you and wants to hate you" and some other things. It's not as anti-german as the video makes it appear. "Your love a curse and blessing; My love I cannot give to you" stands out as well. Probably about sums up the general sentiment on the left in germany.
Also, what about that part where Germania gives birth to.... wolves? Romulus and Remus, Holy roman empire? That's a lot of puppies though
[1] Not too unusual to see right wingers claim bands as theirs or at least neutral or completely miss the point. (ex.: Schrei nach Liebe - Die Ärzte. That whole thing about Böhse Onkelz in there.) Maybe that's even a good thing here, because that just makes it spread more in the exact circles it aims to teach. And since enough on the nose, it might make some people think. The appeal of their (over-exagerated) style probably only helps.
I usually hate when companies, makers, and bands call their videos “a film” or “a short film”, but I think that it's fitting here. I liked it a lot. Very strong imagery and good beat. Goes...
I usually hate when companies, makers, and bands call their videos “a film” or “a short film”, but I think that it's fitting here. I liked it a lot. Very strong imagery and good beat. Goes directly into “good stuff” playlist.
Rammstein is most certainly art. Maybe the WASP-y American thing to do about something like Nazi-ism is to pretend like it didn't happen. But (imo) healthy, productive response is to find some way...
exploitation or art?
Rammstein is most certainly art. Maybe the WASP-y American thing to do about something like Nazi-ism is to pretend like it didn't happen. But (imo) healthy, productive response is to find some way to acknowledge, process, and move on. Similar to the street placards with the names or monuments to the slain, Rammstein's entertaining and satirical, co-opting of the grandiose strongman aesthetic of authoritarianism and fascism, are important for Germany and every people dealing with these themes.
To me, Rammstein is no more exploitative than Schindler's List or the Pianist. They just strike a different tone in their work in order to reach a different audience. Arguably, as a metal band their work targets a crucial audience those more serious, Artistic movies might not since Skinhead, Neo-Nazis, and the like are known to target punk and metal concerts for their high concentrations of angsty, disaffected youths.
As to this whole "controversy." anyone who says Rammstein glorify White Supremacy and White Nationalism is clearly not familiar with the work of the band. Their knee-jerk reaction is possibly well-warranted. But then again, maybe not! The video isn't even dropped yet. It should be clear where the band stands from their statements and from the fact there is a woman of color dressed as a Teutonic Knight (for crying out loud!) on the cove for the single.
The video came out yesterday, 10am PST (6PM in some office in Germany thst controlled it). In the main body of the video, the band members on the gallows are shown for a few seconds, but a couple...
The video came out yesterday, 10am PST (6PM in some office in Germany thst controlled it).
In the main body of the video, the band members on the gallows are shown for a few seconds, but a couple other members, and Germania (the character) are depicted as SS, and killed by the same prisoners. The footage used in the teaser shows with the credits after the video.
I don't agree that it's exploitation. It's what the song is about and it's a part of German history. Sure Rammstein always loved some controversy, but i don't see the problem. There are a lot of...
I don't agree that it's exploitation. It's what the song is about and it's a part of German history.
Sure Rammstein always loved some controversy, but i don't see the problem. There are a lot of open nazi bands out there, i don't see anybody setting them on fire.
It always confuses me what parts some of these articles choose to pick up on and what parts they avoid. Like, you choose the death camp scene, because it is inflammatory and it is somewhat morally...
It always confuses me what parts some of these articles choose to pick up on and what parts they avoid. Like, you choose the death camp scene, because it is inflammatory and it is somewhat morally questionable to advertise with it, but not the later scene where they liberate themselves from the camp? Or, you choose one nazi symbol, but never point out the book burning seconds later? It's all very confusing.
Side-note: While the scene is questionable if used to sell more albums, the scene itself fits very well into the artistic vision of this song. It would be idiotic to point out every dark day in Germany's history while specifically avoiding the darkest days of all.
To be fair, if the imagery wasn't invoked in good taste, the scenes criticized have a lot more "punch" to germans (imo) than the ones you list as alternatives. Book burning scenes certainly scream...
To be fair, if the imagery wasn't invoked in good taste, the scenes criticized have a lot more "punch" to germans (imo) than the ones you list as alternatives. Book burning scenes certainly scream "I want controversy" I suppose, but it's hard to invoke them in a shitty way, much less so anyway than with clear nazi symbolism and KZ imagery. Book burning is just not an image that invokes such a strong reaction.
That said, the controversy is probably a bit out of place. It seems that was all in reaction to only a part of the video being released. Shoulda waited, because imo the entire thing makes it clear that it's not used as a cheap commercial.
Disclaimer: I am not German. It's a part of German history, so I would say that ignoring it in the video about Germany throughout the years, “so young yet so old”, would be criminal.
Disclaimer: I am not German.
It's a part of German history, so I would say that ignoring it in the video about Germany throughout the years, “so young yet so old”, would be criminal.
With imagery like that I don't think I need to translate for everyone to realise that rammstein is of... split minds about german heritage. At best. That said, I think some right wingers will probably run with it again, just because of the imagery. [1] Split minds is probably accurate though, given the "want to love and curse you", "one can love you and wants to hate you" and some other things. It's not as anti-german as the video makes it appear. "Your love a curse and blessing; My love I cannot give to you" stands out as well. Probably about sums up the general sentiment on the left in germany.
Also, what about that part where Germania gives birth to.... wolves? Romulus and Remus, Holy roman empire? That's a lot of puppies though
[1] Not too unusual to see right wingers claim bands as theirs or at least neutral or completely miss the point. (ex.: Schrei nach Liebe - Die Ärzte. That whole thing about Böhse Onkelz in there.) Maybe that's even a good thing here, because that just makes it spread more in the exact circles it aims to teach. And since enough on the nose, it might make some people think. The appeal of their (over-exagerated) style probably only helps.
I usually hate when companies, makers, and bands call their videos “a film” or “a short film”, but I think that it's fitting here. I liked it a lot. Very strong imagery and good beat. Goes directly into “good stuff” playlist.
Rammstein is most certainly art. Maybe the WASP-y American thing to do about something like Nazi-ism is to pretend like it didn't happen. But (imo) healthy, productive response is to find some way to acknowledge, process, and move on. Similar to the street placards with the names or monuments to the slain, Rammstein's entertaining and satirical, co-opting of the grandiose strongman aesthetic of authoritarianism and fascism, are important for Germany and every people dealing with these themes.
To me, Rammstein is no more exploitative than Schindler's List or the Pianist. They just strike a different tone in their work in order to reach a different audience. Arguably, as a metal band their work targets a crucial audience those more serious, Artistic movies might not since Skinhead, Neo-Nazis, and the like are known to target punk and metal concerts for their high concentrations of angsty, disaffected youths.
As to this whole "controversy." anyone who says Rammstein glorify White Supremacy and White Nationalism is clearly not familiar with the work of the band.
Their knee-jerk reaction is possibly well-warranted. But then again, maybe not! The video isn't even dropped yet.It should be clear where the band stands from their statements and from the fact there is a woman of color dressed as a Teutonic Knight (for crying out loud!) on the cove for the single.The video came out yesterday, 10am PST (6PM in some office in Germany thst controlled it).
In the main body of the video, the band members on the gallows are shown for a few seconds, but a couple other members, and Germania (the character) are depicted as SS, and killed by the same prisoners. The footage used in the teaser shows with the credits after the video.
Ah my search engine must just really suck that bad at finding stuff. Damn u bing!
I don't agree that it's exploitation. It's what the song is about and it's a part of German history.
Sure Rammstein always loved some controversy, but i don't see the problem. There are a lot of open nazi bands out there, i don't see anybody setting them on fire.
It always confuses me what parts some of these articles choose to pick up on and what parts they avoid. Like, you choose the death camp scene, because it is inflammatory and it is somewhat morally questionable to advertise with it, but not the later scene where they liberate themselves from the camp? Or, you choose one nazi symbol, but never point out the book burning seconds later? It's all very confusing.
Side-note: While the scene is questionable if used to sell more albums, the scene itself fits very well into the artistic vision of this song. It would be idiotic to point out every dark day in Germany's history while specifically avoiding the darkest days of all.
To be fair, if the imagery wasn't invoked in good taste, the scenes criticized have a lot more "punch" to germans (imo) than the ones you list as alternatives. Book burning scenes certainly scream "I want controversy" I suppose, but it's hard to invoke them in a shitty way, much less so anyway than with clear nazi symbolism and KZ imagery. Book burning is just not an image that invokes such a strong reaction.
That said, the controversy is probably a bit out of place. It seems that was all in reaction to only a part of the video being released. Shoulda waited, because imo the entire thing makes it clear that it's not used as a cheap commercial.
Oh, really? Makes so much more sense now
Disclaimer: I am not German.
It's a part of German history, so I would say that ignoring it in the video about Germany throughout the years, “so young yet so old”, would be criminal.