The Wave
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About
Rainer Wenger, a political science teacher, is forced to teach his students about autocracy. When they claim that dictatorship could never happen in modern Germany, he starts an experiment called The Wave to show them how easily people can be manipulated. Wenger introduces strict rules, a uniform, and group activities that make the students feel united and superior to others. The movement quickly grows, with students creating a logo, salute, and excluding anyone who refuses to join. Some students, especially Karo and Mona, begin to oppose The Wave as it becomes increasingly similar to fascism. The movement soon becomes dangerous. Members intimidate outsiders, fight with other students, and become obsessed with belonging to the group. Wenger realizes that his experiment has gone too far and calls a final meeting to end The Wave. At the meeting, Wenger reveals that the experiment is over and explains that the negative aspects of fascism cannot simply be separated from the movement. Tim, who has become completely dependent on The Wave, cannot accept its end. He shoots another student and then kills himself. The film ends with Wenger being arrested and the students left traumatized, showing how quickly authoritarianism and group pressure can take control of people.
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