MERKEL

Wednesday 23 August

10am, 2:30pm, 5pm, 7:30pm

Director Eva Weber

Documentary

German

German and English (with English subtitles

94 minutes

This engrossing documentary is the astonishing story of how a triple political outsider – a woman, a scientist, and an East German – became one of the most powerful politicians in the world.

For years Angela Merkel, the first female Chancellor of Germany, was Western Europe’s most influential leader. Yet despite her historic 16-year Chancellorship of Germany, she remains something of an enigma. Clear-eyed, cool-headed, diligent, and methodical, she put her policies first, keeping her personal life private.

From Merkel’s upbringing in East Germany, and studies in quantum chemistry, to her surprising start in politics and fast ascent, this fascinating documentary creates a rich portrait using a vast array of archival material and revealing interviews from friends and colleagues, including journalists, political allies, and critics.

An apt tribute to a political ground-breaker. – The Hollywood Reporter

She may not make the most exciting subject on personality alone, and the film shows that strain, but her remarkable life and accomplishments more than make up for it. – Jude Dry, indiewire