The Electronic Curtain 1997
Distributed by First Run/Icarus Films, 32 Court St., 21st Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201; 800-876-1710
Produced by Theoreema Films
Director n/a
VHS, color, 50 min.
Adult
History
Date Entered: 11/09/2018
Reviewed by Brad Eden, Ph.D., Head, Web and Digitization Services, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las VegasThe Electronic Curtain is a film about the new policy in West Germany that does not allow immigrants from Eastern Europe into that country, even though communism has taken down all restrictions for access into the West. The "curtain" is electronic now, with high-tech gadgetry and devices to stop the flow of "illegal" immigrants from Rumania and other Eastern European countries from entering Germany.
The film is approached on two fronts. First, the government viewpoint and policy are discussed and examined; while simultaneously, a young unemployed Rumanian worker named Nicu is followed on his attempt to cross into Germany illegally. Both sides of the story are given, with especial emphasis given to Germany's use of night cameras and night goggles along the Neisse River to stop immigrants that cross over into Germany, while discussing Nicu's and other Rumanians' economic situation that is causing them to leave Rumania in droves in order to make money elsewhere. Taxi drivers along the Polish/German border have developed smuggling rings to provide immigrants the opportunity to cross the border undetected, while German police have studied the techniques and policies of Border patrolmen along the Texas/Mexico border for guidance and direction. In the end, the viewer sees Nicu crossing the Neisse River in an inflatable boat at night. Whether he makes it or not into Germany is not known.
The film was interesting from the perspective of German immigrant policy since the fall of communism. The government is happy to allow families and single immigrants with host German families into their country, but they do not want immigrants taking away jobs from German people. Whether Nicu makes it into Germany is never known, since most captures take place once illegal immigrants have crossed the border in the no man's land between the border and Berlin. This film would be good for any high school or college class on current political thought or the fall of communism. Kudos to the producers for its unbiased approach, however it would be nice to know whether Nicu makes it into Germany or not. Recommended.