'Das Deutsche Volk' at Berlinale Gives Voice to Hanau Victims, Exposes Systemic Failures

Five years after one of the deadliest racially motivated attacks in postwar Germany, a new documentary, "Das Deutsche Volk" ("The German People"), premiered at the 75th Berlinale, offering a harrowing account of the tragedy and its aftermath through the eyes of the bereaved families and survivors. The film, directed by Marcin Wierzchowski, doesn't just recount the events of that horrific night in Hanau; it exposes the systemic failures, institutional indifference, and the ongoing struggle for recognition and justice faced by the victims' families in a country grappling with far-right extremism.

A Nation in Crisis: Remembering Hanau

On February 19, 2020, a far-right extremist killed nine people in Hanau, near Frankfurt. The victims – Gökhan Gültekin, Sedat Gürbüz, Said Nesar Hashemi, Mercedes Kierpacz, Hamza Kurtović, Vili Viorel Păun, Fatih Saraçoğlu, Ferhat Unvar, and Kaloyan Velkov – were all young people with migrant backgrounds. After the shooting spree, the perpetrator returned home, murdered his mother, and then took his own life. The attack sent shockwaves through Germany, raising critical questions about racism, integration, and the rise of right-wing extremism. The gunman, identified as Tobias R., had published a racist manifesto online prior to the attack, revealing his deeply rooted xenophobic views.

The documentary meticulously avoids amplifying the killer's narrative, denying him the notoriety he sought. Instead, it amplifies the voices of the victims and their families, ensuring their names and stories are not forgotten. Inspired by American anti-racist movements, the families adopted the slogan #SayTheirNames, a powerful act of remembrance and resistance against erasure.

The Long Road to Justice: Families Fight for Answers

"Das Deutsche Volk" follows the victims' families over four years as they navigate their grief and relentlessly pursue answers surrounding the attack. The film highlights their painful realization that they must fight to uncover the truth, facing bureaucratic obstacles and institutional indifference at every turn. Despite promises of swift action and sympathy from politicians and dignitaries, the families found themselves largely abandoned, left to grapple with the cold reality of a system seemingly unprepared to address such a tragedy.

One particularly poignant aspect of the film is its focus on the family of Vili Viorel Păun, a Romanian victim who tried to alert the authorities during the attack. The documentary reveals that Păun called the police multiple times that night, but his calls went unanswered. This revelation, along with other instances of police negligence, fueled the families' distrust and intensified their demand for accountability.

Institutional Failures: A System Under Scrutiny

Wierzchowski's film meticulously documents the institutional failures that compounded the families' suffering. From sluggish investigations and delayed notifications to the insensitive description of one victim's appearance in the autopsy report as "Oriental-southern," the documentary exposes the deep-seated biases and systemic shortcomings within the German system. The film also highlights the disturbing revelation that police had locked an emergency exit at one of the crime scenes, a fact uncovered by the investigative collective Forensic Architecture after being approached by the victims' families.

These revelations underscore the film's central argument: the Hanau attack was not merely the act of a lone extremist but a consequence of systemic failures and a society still struggling to confront its own prejudices. The documentary serves as a damning indictment of institutional racism and the urgent need for comprehensive reform.

A Personal Journey: The Director's Perspective

Marcin Wierzchowski, the Polish-born German director, brings a unique perspective to the film. Having experienced racism himself, Wierzchowski felt compelled to document the aftermath of the Hanau shootings. He began filming public gatherings and contacting friends in the area, eventually gaining the trust of the victims' families, who asked him to document their struggle.

Wierzchowski's commitment to the project is evident in the film's intimate and unflinching portrayal of the families' grief and resilience. Shot in stark black and white, the documentary avoids sensationalism, allowing the raw emotions and testimonies of the victims' families to take center stage. The film's aesthetic choices add a layer of solemnity, emphasizing the gravity of the subject matter.

Berlinale Premiere: A Call for Reflection

The premiere of "Das Deutsche Volk" at the Berlinale marked the fifth anniversary of the Hanau attack, providing a timely and important platform for the victims' voices to be heard. The film has been praised for its compelling narrative, its unflinching look at systemic racism, and its powerful portrayal of the families' fight for justice.

While the film did not win any of the top awards at the Berlinale, such as the Golden Bear for Best Film which went to "Dreams (Sex Love)" directed by Dag Johan Haugerud, or the Best Documentary Award which went to Brandon Kramer for “Holding Liat”, its impact extends far beyond awards. "Das Deutsche Volk" serves as a crucial reminder of the human cost of racism and the urgent need for societies to confront their own prejudices and systemic inequalities.

Conclusion: Remembering and Moving Forward

"Das Deutsche Volk" is more than just a documentary; it is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable loss. It is a call for remembrance, a demand for justice, and a plea for a more inclusive and equitable society. By giving voice to the Hanau victims and exposing the systemic failures that contributed to the tragedy, Wierzchowski's film challenges Germany, and the world, to confront the uncomfortable truths about racism and inequality and to work towards a future where such atrocities never happen again. The film underscores that the fight for recognition and a sense of belonging continues for many in Germany, and that the pursuit of justice for the victims of Hanau is far from over.