Walter Benjamin

                                           

The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction

 "Even the most perfect reproduction of a work of art is lacking in one element: its presence in time and space, its unique existence at the place where it happens to be. This unique existence of the work of art determined the history to which it was subject throughout the time of its existence. This includes the changes which it may have suffered in physical condition over the years as well as the various changes in its ownership. The traces of the first can be revealed only by chemical or physical analyses which it is impossible to perform on a reproduction; changes of ownership are subject to a tradition which must be traced from the situation of the original."

   Walter Benjamin describes art that has "presence in time and space" as cult value. This implicates that artworks have an added "value" because it represents a specific moment in time and is an indentation within history. The work itself has an "aura" which produces a ripple effect that cannot be constrained. Nevertheless, with the advancement of technology, this aura is opaqued by mechanical reproductions that reduce the "authenticity" of the work and diminish the aura. The art then falls into the realm of exhibition value. It is in within this realm that art begins to lose its historical context and "detaches the reproduced object from the domain of tradition." Furthermore, "by making many reproductions it substitutes a plurality of copies for a unique existence. And in permitting the reproduction to meet the beholder or listener in his own particular situation, it reactivates the object reproduced. These two processes lead to a tremendous shattering of tradition which is the obverse of the contemporary crisis and renewal of mankind."  In other words, I think that by making mechanical reproductions and making it available to anyone, the art is liberated and constrained only to the individual experience.

"Pain"

"... One soon senses that pain has a sure and ineluctable hold. Nothing is more certain and unavoidable than pain; it resembles life's inescapable shadow or a gristmill grinding the grain ever finer and with ever more incisive rotation."

   Junger describes pain as unavoidable and certain, just as death.  It is something that we cannot escape, perhaps, we may be enticed to dismiss it but it will eventually crawl back. Perhaps the majority of people have not thought about pain in this respect, as an essential part of living and which will always accompany one in life. I believe that Junger is conveying what is the reality of things. One must suffer and endure pain, because it is part of life. Yet, as human beings we are taught to avoid situations that cause us pain when in fact, this is just an illusory principle. According to Junger, "our children's tales close with passages of heroes who, after having overcome many dangers, live out there lives in peace and happiness.  We hear such assurances with pleasure, for it is comforting for us to learn about a place removed from pain."  I don't believe that conformity and obedience is a solution to pain. Pain will occur, eventually, whether the state is at peace.

"Nazism"

"Then, gentlemen, not you will be the ones to deliver the verdict over us, but that verdict will be given by the eternal judgment of history, which will speak out against the accusation that has been made against us. I know what your judgment will be. But that other court will not ask us: Have you committed high treason or not? That court will judge us, their quartermaster-general of the old army, its officers and soldiers, who as Germans wanted only the best for their people and Fatherland, who fought and who were willing to die. You might just as well find us guilty a thousand times, but the goddess of the eternal court of history will smile and tear up the motions of the state's attorney and the judgment of this court: for she finds us not guilty."


     It is in these last words of Hitler one can get an insight into his disturbing and psychotic mind. For Hitler to  begin to assume that History would judge him one day as a "quartermaster-general of the old army... who wanted only the best for their people and Fatherland" is unfathomable.  It is unbelievable that such a character would ultimately think that the genocide for which he was responsible would be justified by the "goddess of the eternal court." His plea of not guilty, only reflects his arrogance and his unwillingness to accept any of the crimes that he committed. Furthermore, his attitude of doing what was best for the Fatherland, underlines the totalitarian ideal which he believed in. The horrors of the Holocaust will forever leave and an imprint in German history and Hitler will be the dent that made it possible.


The current films that I watched are completely different from the previous films. The introduction of color and dramatized documentary transforms these new films into reality. In the first film "Triumph of the Will" the viewer is drawn to the impressive aerial views of a city in Germany. The film displays Hitler's militarized persona and the nationalistic sentiment that followed him.  Another important point to highlight is the impressive armed forces that Hitler had at his command, not to mention the willingness of every soldier to fight till death. Regardless of the atrocities that Hitler committed, it is impressive to see how one man could gain so much power and respect.
With the second film "Night and Fog" the back and forth effect gives the film a very realistic contrast of the past and the present.  The nature of the film is very grotesque and hard to watch. It takes the viewer into the reality of concentration camps, and the endless suffering to which the Jewish community were subjugated too. It was very hard to watch the last film, because it left me angry for no one took responsibility for their actions, as if they were somehow manipulated into doing such horrible things. Nevertheless, both films allow the viewer to catch a glimpse of a past "real" reality; cold, unapologetic and very real.

"Politics as a Vocation" Max Weber

"Like the political institutions historically preceding it, the state is a relation of men dominating men, a

relation supported by means of legitimate (i.e. considered to be legitimate) violence. If the state is to exist,

the dominated must obey the authority claimed by the powers that be. When and why do men obey? Upon

what inner justifications and upon what external means does this domination rest...

There is the authority of the extraordinary and personal gift of grace(charisma), the absolutely personal

devotion and personal confidence in revelation, heroism, or other qualities of individual leadership. This is

'charismatic' domination, as exercised by the prophet or--in the field of politics--by the elected war lord, the

plebiscitarian ruler, the great demagogue, or the political party leader."

 

 

This quotaion by Weber highlights the relation between a state and it's citizens, specifically the role of obeying authority. Weber describes that there is a justification for the domination of a man upon another man. One of these "legitimatations of domination" is a charismatic leader. Charismatic leaders tend to be chosen, because they inspire confidence and to a certain degree have heroic qualities. These charismatic leaders are able to exercise their authority upon their peers, by way of eloquent speech or inspire through actions. This is the case with President Obama,who was able to use his charismatic personality to inspire young voters to vote for him. He was the "ideal type" of president.

Rosa Luxemberg Critique on Modern Capitalism

     "It is sheer insanity to believe that capitalists would goodhumoredly obey the socialist verdict of a parliament or of a national assembly, that they would calmly renounce property, profit, the right to exploit. All ruling classes fought to the end, with tenacious energy, to preserve their privileges. The Roman patricians and the medieval feudal barons alike, the English cavaliers and the American slavedealers, the Walachian boyars and the Lyonnais silk manufacturers – they all shed streams of blood, they all marched over corpses, murder, and arson, instigated civil war and treason, in order to defend their privileges and their power.


  Rosa Luxemberg details the inevitability of a war because of a ruling class not willing to forfeit their privileges.  It also portrays the drastic measures taken by previous ruling classes such as: instigating war, murder and treason.  The idea behind this quote is to illustrate the unwillingness for capitalism to stand down and let socialism take over. This also, underlines the destructive force of Capitalism and the consequences of trying to change it.  This polarization between Capitalism and Socialism, ultimately will spark a revolution to which Luxemberg adheres too. In terms of Nihilism, it can be seen that Luxemberg, as well as many other Germans had lost faith in the status quo and demanded change. The resulting factor was Luxembergs' Spartacus League, which sought to oppose the imperialist war and give back the power to the revolutionary majority. In other words, to withdraw power from the bourgeois and give it back to the laborers.

"M"

1) What is the author's argument for the success or lack of success for films that deal with these themes? 2) Choose two of the films sampled from and analyze how they depict murder in the film and how it relates to M.

     In the blog "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep: A brief history of child murder in cinema" the author explains that many of the films that became successful and featured child murder, did not explicitly show any of the gruesome acts but, rather only mentioned it. As the author mentions in his opening line "child murder and pedophilia" is a "queasy subject" and a taboo for society. Cinematographers are at a disadvantage when trying to make a film that incorporates these themes. Nevertheless, the more successful ones, are able to incorporate said themes into a broader subject such as: Insanity or Socio-economic factors.
      
     In the case of the movie "M (1931)" there is a child murderer lurking in a German town, which is eventually captured and convicted. This classic film, readily omits the portrayal of the killings, and also does not go into much details of the killings. It seems to just scratch the surface and not really delve into any specifics. I believe this is the reason why it was accepted by the audience. 

    A night on Elm's Street is another classic film that features child murders as a theme. This movie was a hit because it was able to portray Freddy Krueger not as a child killer but rather a teen slasher and this made it acceptable for audiences. The idea behind these movies is not to showcase details of the gruesome murders or any sexual aberrations done to children, but to shine a light on an issue which most people hate to talk about.

     Lastly, "Tenderness of Wolves" with its protagonist being a gay, sadistic, and vampiristic murderer seemed too much for audiences. The idea of the protagonist killing biting his victims on the throat to murder them and then sell their remains as pork chops seemed too explicit. I believe that when talking about these themes, one should be very careful on how much information one should display.



Using the three films we have watched, write a short essay either in support of, or against this position. What evidence from the films can be interpreted as desire for an authoritarian leader? Or, if Kracauer is wrong, as later theorists have said, what evidence suggests a rejection of authoritarianism and promotes democratic values?


    It is my personal opinion that all three movies that we have seen "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" "Blue Angel" and "M(1931)"  does not reveal a desire for an authoritarian leader, instead, all of them reflect the uncertainty that plagued Germany post WWI and the chaos that ensued within its population. Perhaps in some respect, certain characters might have foreshadowed the rise of Hitler, but to say that it was a desire seems farfetched. The prevalent themes that arise within each film such as: Muders, Delusion, Insecurity, Chaos, etc...  These theme manifested the reality of German living and the impact that the hype-inflation caused.  Desperate times call for desperate measures and Germany was at the brink of self destruction because of repercussions of past events. It is because of these factors that all three films portray German citizens as insecure, delusional and living in a state of fear.

   In the movie "M" a child predator is on the loose and people are stricken with awe at the heinous acts.  The police are working non-stop trying to catch this bandit. In an ironic twist, it is the underground mafia mob that manages to capture him and try him themselves. This last scene, makes a mockery of the democratic judicial system because it allows the criminals to act as judges and jury. Nevertheless, the film underlines the importance of a judicial trial, found only in a democratic system. 

    In "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" Cesare the insomniac is ordered to murder Jane by his master Dr. Caligari. These two characters reflect the idea that the upperclass or bourgeois
controlled the proletariat or ordinary citizens. This reflects the condition in which Germany found itself before the war and which sparked Karl Marx to write his famous book "Communist Manifesto."  The twisting ending, reveals that all of the movie was just a delusional story created by a mental patient. With respects to "Blue Angel" the idea of an authoritarian figure succumbing to the sexual exploits of a singer and eventually end up being a clown, supports the rejection of authoritarianism.  

   In conclusion, I do not believe that an authoritarian government was desired. Instead the socioeconomic factors at play were an important theme incorporated into all three films.  Also, the inclusion of the democratic values, such as the trail held by the criminals in the "M" movie give the impression that democracy was still present and followed.

"Blue Angel"

     The scene I chose, begins with Professor Kant sitting next to Lola in her dressing room. He clumsily drops her cigarettes and after picking them up is on his knees with his hair disheveled. She grabs a comb and begins to brush his hair back. Within seconds she remarks: "C'mon let's get back to work" and orders him to hold her powder holder. At this point in the scene, Professor Kant is told that he is not a bad looking guy and while, he is timidly acknowledging it, Lola blows into her powder holder covering Professor Kant in powder and almost suffocating him.

     What struck me most about this scene was the ability of Lola to easily manipulate, order and control the apparent authoritarian figure in this film, professor Kant. The Professor seems irresistable to her every whim and her feminine charm swindles professor Kant from his role of Professor. In my point of view, I believe that Lola's captivating personality is a foreshadowing of how Hitler would come to power and consequently subdue all of Germany. If professor Kant represents the old German way of thinking, then Lola is the nihilistic ideology that was setting in and would eventually engulf all of Germany.

CABARET SONGS

1. "It's All a Swindle" (Alles Schwindel), by Mischa Spoliansky and Marcellus Schiffer (1931)
Papa swindles                                                                                                              
Mama swindles                                                                                           
Grandmama's a lying thief                                                                                
We're perfectly shameless                                                                                                
but we're blameless                                                                                                    
after all it's our belief                                                                                                                 
Nowadays the world is rotten                                                                                                     
honesty has been forgotten

Papa schwindelt,
Mama schwindelt,
tut sie auf blob ihren Mund!
Tante Otilie,
und die Familie
und sogar der kleine Hund!
Und besieht man’s aus der Nähe:

I chose this song and specifically these lyrics, because one can begin to understand the nihilistic ideology that was setting in ,especially, because Germany was responsible for paying back reparations and its economy was on the verge of collapsing. These negative lyrics depict the desperation and hopelessness that the Germans felt at that time, and how they did not take responsibility for their actions because it was their beliefs.                                                                  
   

2. "No Time" (Keine Zeit), music by Rudolf Nelson, lyrics by Herbert Nelson

However, in these frantic times, you meet few of these unhurried people.
Nowadays you stand at the vending machine,
with the token in your trembling paws.
You insert the coin, the tray revolves, and you take some bread.
Then you eat the roll at a frantic pace,
because hundreds of others are right behind you.
You chew and you chew without peace and rest
because there is a voice telling you:
"Insert token, take out bread,
for the food might soon be sold out."
One eats without finesse.

Oben steckt man sie rein und dann gibt’s einen Dreh, schon ist unten zum Vorschein ein Broetchen.
Und dann isst man das Broetchen in rasender Hast, denn es warten ja schon hundert andere und man kaut und man kaut, ohne Ruh ohne Rast, denn es sagt eine Stimme, der wandere.
Marke rein, Broetchen raus, schon ist dein Essen aus.
Man ist schnell ohne jede Finesse, der es schmeckt ist ganz ohne Fingresse.

 Another song, that details the constant fear and uncertainty that was felt in Germany at this time. The idea of not being able to rest and have a nice meal because "there is a voice telling you: Insert the token, take the bread out, for the food might soon be sold out."  Once again Germans are in a state of paranoia, their currency value has sunk to almost nothing and people are getting desperate afraid of what might happen next.


Paragraph 175

The three amendments that were added specified that any male who would offer sexual services to another male or committed abused sexually of another male would be punished with imprisonment. Also, any "unnatural sex" acts with animals was also punished with imprisonment. It is curious to note that these laws specifically applied to male homosexuals and did not include any female homosexuality. This law reverts back to the idea of the perfect Aryan race where homosexuality was not permitted .