Edukators (2004) is a german film about two people trying to start a popular socialist revolution by intimadating the rich and scaring them to change their ways. But soon they take things too far and are forced to kidnap a wealthy man to stop him telling the police and also protect the girl who seemed to lead the two men astray....

This film has a strong political theme and as a result tackles key issues in modern Germany today for example, The divide of the poor and the rich and how there is a clear conflict between them. It has a slow pace but has a stronger narrative structure than the french new wave cinema it seems to take insperation from. It has a clear and even a relatable theme. However the message is obviously put across and does not change or even gradualy progress into a deeper felling.

The director (Weingarten) seemed to tap into an anger surrounding class and politics in todays media and using techniques that were trademarks for older films seems to enchance this... the cast all deliver convincing performances.

The Edukators, (Weingartner 2004) was made to show the political injustice that lies within the world today. The fact that people can afford to spend their 'change' on £100,000 cars while others struggle to feed themselves, and to find shelter for a place to live. This in-balance is apparent in every country all over the world, with rich and poor areas. The Edukators focuses on one particular German city in which three youths live. These youths recognise the wrong doing and do their part to alter the way wealthy people live their lives.

There is no doubt that it shares similarities with French New Wave films. The use of handheld cameras and jump cuts is a reflection of the New Wave techniques.

The cinematography represents the confliction and heights the action of the film. The use of handheld cameras makes the audience feel more involved with the film. being able to understand what the Educators were trying to achieve. It created a good effect on the style helping the narrative progress with brilliant frame shots. I believe that the surveillance interference (the opening shots) could represent the disturbance caused to the upper class by the Edukators.

The music represented the youth of today. However wise these three kids appear to be, they are still portrayed as youths. This specifically relates to the young audience making them feel connected and similar to the Edukators. With the outside message that anyone can make a difference no matter how young.

Overall i think that the message is placed across wit the re-occurring feeling of 'Your days of plenty are numbered' effectively. After watching this film i believe it has expanded my cinema experience with world cinema understanding. I can use the knowledge i have learned and place it on other film the i watch in future.

A good film at best. Although the sound is good and the plot is plausible and understandable, I would give this film a 67% rating because of the length of some shots. It is good because it reflects the conflict between capitalism and other forms of the financial systems, shown by how Jan, Jule and Peter take Hardenberg hostage in Jule's uncle's remote cabin, making this a very powerful political film. The fact that the Edukators leave anonymous notes behind shows traits that they have in common in terrorists, but we feel more sympathetic with the Edukators as they have a reason for leaving notes and moving things in houses, where as terrorists just want to spread terror and implant fear in people's minds. The fact that Berlin is the setting and that it would have been deep in East Germany during the Cold War, is strengthening the audience's support the communist goals of the Edukators.

The Edukators (2004) Hans Weingartner

The Edukators is a story of a 3 people tied together by friendship and political views. The 3 of them form an extremist socialist group called "The Edukators", seemly untouchable with their own beliefs and rigid rules they break into rich peoples homes and rearrange the furniture. All their security and rules inevitably get broken As Jan and Jule fall in love with each other creating a rift between the close three.

Although their friendship is scarred their political ideals remain strong throughout the film.

Obviously influenced by French New Wave The Edukators is a strong film that keeps its own throughout. The hand held camera may frustrate a few as it is overly chaotic in unnecessary places. Ultimately a stylistic choice it will either annoy you or not bother you.

It is also laced with jump cuts which aren't particularly noticeable but seem to follow in the trend of New Wave.

The Edukators is designed to question your own lifestyle and your own political views. Although the message the Edukators conveys is an interesting one, the way Weingartner conveys it relentlessly is tiresome. The Edukators lacks subtlety. The message is drilled into you, nearly every scene.

Well made. But ultimately tiresome with the same message droning on throughout.

The film is based around politics and crime, with the 3 main characters (The Edukators) participating in extreme socialist views. The political aspect takes a very central intake into the story line itself, with the 'Edukators' attempting to use 'scare tactics' to intimidate and spread fear among the successful capitalist bourgeoisie.

The film follows the 'Edukators' through their acts of terror, their friendships and affairs with one another. The story unfolds when an 'Education' goes wrong, with the newly and accidently appointed Edukator leaving her mobile phone behind at the break in. Hardenberg, the house owner, returns unexpectedly to find the house not only with a disrupted interior, but with some unexpected visitors.

The film successfully gives hard twists throughout, with unpredictable and duel-interpreting endings that wrench the works of the audiences understanding of the characters, especially that of Hardenberg; does he have a heart, or is he just the ruthless businessman the film attempts to stereotype?

Weingartner has captured the political views that majority of the youth of today follow, with the ever growing need for equality and the dismissal of social class. These views being processed within the film, ensures younger audiences can relate, and thus enjoy the film with the content in which is deserves. Even those with little political interest can enjoy the film also, with each character's personality being unwoven slowly throughout the film, followed by the expected love affair, this film can accompany audiences of any genre preference because of the uptakes upon love, thrill and anticipation throughout.

Director Hans Weingartner launches a stinging attack on Germany's bourgeois in his 2004 film, The Edukators. The story focuses on the lives of three young people struggling with life in Berlin. Jan and Perter are two best friends and flatmates who are frequently accompanied by the latter's debt-ridden girlfriend, Jule. All three share a large amount of contempt for the affluent middle classes whom they feel are taking money away from the people who need it most, i.e. themselves. Intent on starting a revolution, Jan and Peter set about making a difference.

Their plan is to break into a wealthy families house while they are away on holiday and rearrange the entire house. This includes piling chairs right up to the ceiling and forcing expensive, decorative pieces down the toilet.
However, when Jule begs Jan to settle a personal score while Peter is in Barcelona, things go not according to plan. A risky hostage plot ensues as well as a test of their own friendship when faced with dangerous circumstances.

The Edukators is a very tense and exciting film which particularly appeals to the younger, rebellious generation. The contrasts between the hectic, city life of berlin and the picturesque German countryside are particularly fascinating.

A story of a young German trio trying to make a difference in Capitalist Germany. They cleverly raid affluent businessman's houses, re-arrange their furniture and leave messages to show that they are not safe in their huge mansions. Alongside the socialist theme to the film, their is a complicated love triangle between the three, very much like you would see in a 1950s french new wave film.

It also borrows certain stylistic elements of the french movement such as jump cuts and use of available light. At first these techniques seem challenging and a general nuisance, but upon viewing it a second time you can see how Hans Weingartner uses these to give the scenes a deeper meaning.

Overall, this fantastic European film perfectly captures the personalities of the lower class perfectly and is an all round thrill to watch.

I think this film directed by weingartner in 2004 was an interesting film on 3 german youths who moved furniture around in well off peoples homes, an opposite world from where they come from. i havn't seen a film with a stortyline like the idea behind this and so this makes it individual in my eyes. i liked the way that when they captured the man instead of torturing him in the way you might expect they just took him away with them which i much preferred. This may have been because they had a woman as part of there 'team' and so this may have allowed for less violence as it was something the 2 male characters, Jan and peter, didn't want the female character,jule, to see.

we learn from the two male characters that they both have feelings for jule. she begins the film dating peter but then cheats on him with jan. This also adds a kind of a love triangle to the film, which peter doesn't even notice until the man the have captured points it out. This lov triangle adds another twist to the plot.

In a way i much preferred this to the french new wave films i have been studyingas i think it has a more interesting and faster paced storyline. I think the fact that it is slightly more moderen and in colour also helps

I have seen the english and the german versions of the two different endings of the film. I prefer the german ending of the film as i like the fact that they sail off on a boat and your sort of left wondering what they are going to do next.

The Edukators is a a story following a group of three young political revolutionists (The Edukators) who educate the rich capitalists in society by leaving messages and rearranging items in their large houses. The exciting plot follows a kidnapping, betrayal and the typical young love story. It is these central themes that the film is based around, with the idea of socialism over capitalism. Although the rich citizens they punish are not responsible for the society they live in, such as Hardenberg, the three youths seem to make little influence on society to what is right and wrong, following the ending where the business tells the police about his kidnap are promising not to.
Best friends Peter and Jan fight over the love of Jule, showing fights within the group as well as with the rich. Their naivety youth is showed through their love of rock music and changing opinions of people. However, their political view is a strong one which almost convinces the capitalist Hardenburg. Therefore, the film is very much propaganda towards socialist globalization and away from the typical capitalist society.
The cinematography consists of many tracking shots, jumps cuts and use of hand held camera.
As a whole, the film is exciting with plenty of in depth storyline to get involved with.