The Wave

"An experiment...that became a movement."

"It was like I was the second Hitler" -Ron Jones


Films based on true events definitely do not need to stick to the original story.

“The Wave”.

First it was a small class experiment that was ended before any damage was done.

Then it was a slow, grainy quality ABC family special about how the cult affected each teen. And now?



Now it’s a foreign film that sold out during its exhibition at the Pittsburgh Jewish-Israeli Film Festival, leaving long lines stranded and twisted around the other stores as people arrived too late to buy their tickets. Luckily for me, I had tickets prepaid through my family, and I had the chance to compare the new one with the old ABC special.

The remade “The Wave” is bright and colorful, and intermingled with parties and potential sex. And the film is far more brutal and violent than the true event or the ABC special.

But the same idea created it. Students who believed the Holocaust and Nazi’s were not worthy of being studied (because how in the Hell would they ever come to power again? Why would anyone have dared to blame everything on one man and lack their own self decision?) were drawn into an experiment by their teacher.

“Do this, it will improve concentration. Wear this; it will unite us. Who wants to design a symbol for our group?”

The movie shows the idea of how, in one week, the students completely change in ways that are not easily comprehended or recorded. It is for the bizarre and horrendous natures like this that I believe film exists; because I have a hard time accepting any other medium can capture this film’s intensity.

Because it is a foreign film, however, I cannot go into depth about things like dialogue and culture notices. All I can say is that foreign or not, its theme about the Holocaust and World War II are far more uniting and important than the culture of the children within. Especially in our era of globalization.

“The Wave” is worth checking out. And afterward, it is worth thinking about one’s own relationships to groups and people.