Forbidden Films (2014)

Beneath the resilient shield of the German Federal Archives Vault, a guarded fortress designed to withstand explosions, resides a potent collection of 2000 film reels. Crafted from celluloid and the perilously flammable nitrocellulose, these reels bear the silent testimony of a long-erased epoch, during which over 1200 films were painstakingly crafted under the ominous shadow of the Nazi regime. These cinematic creations span a broad spectrum, from pulsating musicals that stir the spirit, to sinister melodramas laying bare the chilling concept of euthanasia. Even today, a hushed censorship shrouds approximately 40 films, the brainchildren of Joseph Goebbels' infamous ministry of propaganda. While a significant number of these films serve as glaring tools of manipulation, a closer inspection reveals subtle traces and insidious connotations woven into the fabric of their narratives, cementing the role of film as the most potent weapon in the arsenal of propaganda. With the guidance of eminent German film historians and experts, this documentary embarks on a journey to stimulate thoughtful discourse on the dicey issue of censorship. It explores the liminal space of conflict, where one must grapple with the challenge of defining boundaries in such a delicate arena. Forbidden Films (2014) is more than just a dissection of propagandist cinema; it's a bold exploration of the tension between historical truth and the power of the moving image.

Forbidden Films is a documentary movie featuring Johanna Liebeneiner and directed by Felix Moeller.

Forbidden Films is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.

It is also possible to buy Forbidden Films on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Kino Now, Vudu and YouTube.