MOVIE OF THE WEEK March 28, 2025: MERKEL
In a time when “broligarchy” is the word of the day, with far-right, male-dominated political parties garnering ever-more-frightening levels of support around the world, Eva Weber’s documentary Merkel is unquestionably worth an hour and a half of your time. Weber’s portrait of Germany’s former Chancellor Angela Merkel — a calm, reasonable, compassionate female leader — is both refreshing and a painful reminder of what could have (should have?) been in the United States.
Blending archival footage and images and interviews with Merkel’s friends and family members, as well as journalists and other political leaders (including Hillary Clinton and Tony Blair), Weber tells the story of Merkel’s life. She was born and raised in the German Democratic Republic — aka East Germany –and was only a few years old when construction began on the Berlin Wall. That bleak, deadly border loomed over daily life in both parts of the city until its fall in 1989. It was the aftermath of that momentous event that jumpstarted Merkel’s political life: While working as a scientist, she got involved with the new Democratic Beginning party and eventually was recruited to join the newly reunified government as the Minister for Women and Youth in 1991.
From there, Merkel climbed steadily through the ranks, becoming Germany’s first female Chancellor in 2005. Weber charts both the successes and challenges of her tenure (which lasted until 2021), from standing up to Vladimir Putin’s attempts to manipulate her to refusing to bow to right-wing pressure to close Germany’s borders when Syrian refugees needed somewhere to go — a decision that demonstrated her innate empathy but ultimately led to a lot of backlash. She’s shown hitting it off with Clinton, bonding with Barack Obama, and grinning and bearing it when she has to meet with Donald Trump. Through it all, she comes across as sensible, rational, practical, and steadfast.
Weber focuses far more on Merkel’s political life than her private one (other than a few charming clips of an interview with her mother), which means we never get to see too far past her public-facing persona, but she certainly comes across as a “what you see is what you get” person. And her impact on both Germany — and the world — is made clear. As journalist/author Bernd Ulrich says during his interview for the film, “What I have only learned by observing Merkel is how baroque and energy-wasting male politics actually is. It’s all about competition, retaliation – it’s sweaty old boys’ networks stirring up rumour.” In a world full of old boys, Merkel reminds us why Angela Merkel is a woman to admire. — Betsy Bozdech
Team #MOTW’s comments:
Sherin Nicole In Merkel, the former German Chancellor is presented like a punk rocker. In the music and the interviews, in its affection for her feats, it’s very much a rock-doc. Viewers might be surprised—at first—but as the film proceeds, realization dawns. Documentarian Eva Weber has discovered the unlock codes, finding the veracious angles on Angela. The scientist and world leader, a woman who despite phobias remained unintimidated by dogs or political dogma. This is the song of a life of impact and Angela Merkel rocked it.
Loren King What a timely and thoughtful look at former German chancellor Angela Merkel who served from 2005 to 2021 and is the only woman to have held the office. For those who don’t know much about her background and career, or even for those who do, director Eva Weber’s well crafted and surprisingly entertaining documentary provides not just important historical context but also illuminates the forces that shaped her character and world view. Read full review.
Leslie Combemale As a left-leaning journalist, I’ve had my issues with Angela Merkel, so I was interested in seeing how she was portrayed in Eva Weber’s documentary. I was delighted to see Merkel examined from a number of angles, including her controversial policies on Russia. Weber shows the challenges for Merkel as the first female chancellor, but also how she was able to hold her own with the alpha-posturing of male heads of state while still staying true to her own ethical code. Watching her stand against Trump, hiding little in their shared public moments, is particularly impressive, given how much our own leaders are kowtowing to him. All in all, Merkel is a fascinating portrait of a woman in power.
Jennifer Merin Merkel is the compelling documentary in which filmmaker Eva Weber profiles former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her approach to leadership, and chronicles her entry into political life and her extraordinary rise to political prominence in Germany and the European Union and throughout the rest of the world. Weber uses archival footage of Merkel and of historic events, as well as on camera interviews with worldwide political leaders, including Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice, Barak Obama, Tony Blair and others to reveal Merkel’s background, establish her character and illustrate the influence she’s had — and continues to have — on world politics. Angela Merkel is a marvel, and this must see documentary about a strong, smart, ethical, fearless and highly respected female politician is inspiring and extremely timely.
Cate Marquis Germany’s first woman Chancellor. Angela Merkel, is profiled in filmmaker Eva Weber’s documentary Merkel. Raised in communist East Germany before the Berlin Wall fell, Merkel was a physicist and seemed an unlikely prospect for a politician, much less Chancellor of Germany. Yet when the wall fell and German reunification took place, she made the decision to leave science and go into politics. Weber’s documentary uses archival and current footage and interviews, in English and subtitled German, and including figures such as Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Condoleezza Rice, to paint a portrait of a most remarkable politician. The first Chancellor of reunified Germany, Helmut Kohl, saw Merkel as a perfect solution for his post-reunification cabinet, both a woman and East German. But the smart, adaptable Merkel exceeded expectations, and quickly rose in her new career, going on to eventually become Chancellor of Germany and then a leading figure in the EU. Further, the documentary also highlights Merkel’s high ethical standards and, unusual for politicians, lack of ego and self-importance, and delves into her upbringing and personal life. It is an intriguing look at the life and career of a most singular political leader.
FILM DETAILS:
Title: Merkel
Director: Eva Weber
Release Date:
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Language: English and German with English subtitles
Screenwriter: Documentary
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AWFJ Movie of the Week Panel Members: Sandie Angulo Chen, Betsy Bozdech, Leslie Combemale, Pam Grady, Loren King, Cate Marquis, Jennifer Merin, Nell Minow, Sherin Nicole, Liz Whittemore
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Edited by Jennifer Merin
