Utilising a treasure trove of archival material, Eva Weber’s documentary delivers an intimate portrait of the long-serving German chancellor who became the most powerful woman in the world.
Filmmaker Eva Weber has seized the challenge and created a thoughtful portrait of Merkel.
Screened as part of NZIFF 2023
Merkel 2022
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“Eva Weber’s engrossing documentary Merkel 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.
A thoughtful examination of Merkel’s life and career, from the Academy Award-winning producers of Searching for Sugar Man, her story is told with humour, subtlety, and poignancy.” — German Film Festival Australia 2023
“Through interviews with journalists and former world leaders like Tony Blair and Hillary Clinton, coupled with clips from Merkel’s favorite childhood music and films, filmmaker Eva Weber paints a more human portrait of the woman who would grow up to save democracy.” — Jude Dry, Indiewire