Educational Media Reviews Online

The Worst Thing documents one sister’s contemporary journey from America to Germany to initiate restorative justice, and to a lesser degree, seek contrition from her brother’s murderers. Using archival footage, friend, and filmmaker Desireena Almoradie sets the stage to depict civil and political unrest, assassinations, and ideologies of far-leftist revolutionaries of the 1960s through the 1980s. It is within this chaotic era that the 1985 murder and last moments of military serviceman Eddie Pequeño’s life sets in motion the need to address familial discord, and to delve into the mindset of former members of Germany’s Red Army Faction (RAF). The Worst Thing is a story told through the perspective of Eddie’s half-sister Kathleen Pequeño. Raised as a Catholic, Kathleen describes herself as someone who evolves from being a conservative to progressive, and eventually comes to terms with her sexuality as a lesbian. She tells herself that she is not out for vengeance, but for restorative justice. She appears to want to develop a relationship with those connected to the murder to better understand motives and/or perspectives from the 1980s, and to question if, over time, those behaviors have changed.

It could be the perception of this reviewer, but former RAF members appear highly uncomfortable to meet with Kathleen to discuss events from 35 years ago. She is asking them to put their life story on film, as well as discuss what lessons learned, if any, since their involvement with RAF. During these interviews, the film provides some insight into former RAF transgressions during the 1980s. Many of the former RAF members explain that their parents were either in the National Socialist political party or who were former soldiers for Nazi Germany. One could question that given Germany’s collective guilt over the holocaust and fascism in general, were RAF member response to anti-capitalism, fascism, and imperialism justification to commit heinous crimes, such as murders, robberies, and terrorism as an overcorrection for the sins of their fathers? Do two wrongs make it right?

The film does a great job to pull the viewer in without becoming intrusive. It offers emotional depth without too much bias and keeps its integrity as a documentary. Most importantly it emphasizes the necessity and difficulty of pursuing restorative justice. This documentary might appear strange for some viewers, but this is Kathleen’s story and her journey. Besides, the film did win the Jury Prize at Germany’s Snowdance Independent Film Festival, so there!

Although this viewer has mixed feelings about the content, I do highly recommend it for courses that deal with mental health and healing.

Awards:
Jury Prize, Best Documentary at 2020 Snowdance Independent Film Festival; Nominee, Best Feature Documentary at 2020 Queens World Film Festival; NY State Council on the Arts Post Production Grant

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