2002, Austria This barebones documentary is simply a raw interview with Junge -- no historical clips, photos, or voiceovers. Artist and director André Heller, an Austrian Jew, took special interest in her story, as his family was directly affected by Hitler's reign of terror. Junge had spoken little of her experience for 60 years, and after finally agreeing to discuss her past, she passed away on the day of the premiere of this confessional. Most of Junge's rationalizations spring from the fact that she began her duties at a young age, surrounded by the political atmosphere of millions of Third Reich supporters. She excuses her lack of knowledge due to her home environs, in a family who cared little for the ways of the government or their part in it. She was simply a good secretary chosen from school for the honor to assist the well-known leader in typing his speeches. She claims the position revealed little of the truths about Hitler's regime, but how she could be completely naive when she read the texts is certainly questionable. The title of this film refers to the blind spot in which she felt sheltered -- one that she claims never showed the true terror right around the corner. So loyal did Junge feel towards the Hitler, that she chose to stay behind in the bunker with him during his final days, typing his will, and hearing his final suicidal gunshot. Through this last discussion it is evident that she truly cared for him personally, not politically, and yet she is truly pained when she admits to the a horrific world of which she was a member. The most poignant moment is revealed when she confesses the shame she felt in passing the statue of a girl who was her age, but this girl fought against the regime at the same time Junge was becoming a part of it. The power of this film is in its words, and the DVD is as sparse as the cinematography. There are no extras aside from subtitles and trailers, but the psychological dissection is worth viewing.
Biography, Documentary, History, War
Deborah Dearth
How does one rationalize the paternal feelings that grow towards the man many consider one of humankind's most evil and vile? This unthinkable mindset is viewed through the eyes of one of Adolph Hitler's secretaries, Traudl Junge.