Film Review: Die Welle (2008)

1. Background Information of this Movie:

(1) a drama, or thriller, directed by Dennis Gansel

(2) the main actor, Rainer Wenger, is played by Jürgen Vogel

(3) the supporting actor, Tim, is played by Frederic Lau

(4) Die welle won Outstanding Feature Film in German film Festival, and Frederic Lau

was also regarded as the Best Supporting Actor in 2008 through Die Welle.

Thesis statement: The movie is well worth watching for the thought-provoking plot,

appealing soundtrack and the amazing performance of actors

2. Brief Plot Summary:

Rainer Wenger is a teacher in senior high school. He always feels he was marginalized

in school. To enter the mainstream of education, he studies hard at self-study

examinations for adults and finally gains political science diploma. As a political

science teacher, he chooses to teach a course about “anarchy”. However, another

teacher has already chosen, or beat him to, the course, which irritates him. Helpless, he

pick “autocracy” to teach. In Germany, it is a boring subject because the reflections

about Nazi are countless. Many students there are familiar with them. Therefore, to put

some life in class, he decides to conduct a one-week experiment in class. Whether there

is any possibility that fascism revives? In the seven weeks, students elect Rainer

Wenger to the leader. He unites the students in class through unifying gesture and dress

of them. Then, he successfully makes his “followers” feel the power of sticking

together. Gradually, everything goes too far. Those adherents keep other students from

entering the gym unless they do gesture of the wave. In addition, some of the followers
attack everyone who criticizes the wave. What is more, for the honor of the wave,

Rainer Wenger’s students try to hurt his rival to win the game, which makes Rainer

Wenger aware of the severity of problems. Can Rainer Wenger stop “the movement”

successfully?

3. Evaluation:

In terms of plot, it shows us the power of unity and the danger of desires to authority.

In regard to soundtrack, it uses soft melody with drums to build an enchanting but

inspiring atmosphere.

As far as the performances of actors are concerned, many actors show the desire to “the

wave”, the honor of being part of wave and the sense of despair to the end of movement

completely.

4. Conclusion:

Die welle is a movie about belonging, and faith and power. Due to belonging, students
are willing to be parts of the wave. It is faith that students trust their teachers completely.
Power, ability of controlling, makes teacher unable to hold it. In a rating scale of one to
ten, I will give the movie an 8.5. Even nowadays, the issue it contains cannot be
discussed too much. I am completely convinced that you will be indulged in the movie
and have different reflections on anarchy.