“If God gives us free will we’re responsible for what we do, what we don’t do; aren’t we?”
How far are you willing to go in defense of your principles? What would you be willing to sacrifice? The political machinations of our time are causing many to reflect upon these questions, which also serve as the thematic basis for A Hidden Life, the latest film from visionary director Terrence Malick. It is based on the real story of Franz Jägerstätter (August Diehl), an Austrian farmer who refused to pledge his allegiance to Adolf Hitler and fight for the Nazis during World War II. As a result, Franz and his wife Fani (Valerie Pachner) face pressure from both the Third Reich and their small community at large as Franz struggles to maintain his principles.
The film serves as a topical view of the test of a person’s convictions while living in an environment with immense pressure to conform. Malick does a great job in portraying the minutiae of groupthink and how living under an oppressive regime brainwashes those around you to fall in line and their efforts to convince you to do the same. Franz and his family are inundated with both micro and overtly aggressive attempts to intimidate Franz into pledging his duty to Hitler and the Third Reich. Multiple neighbors and men of standing first attempt to reason with Franz, appealing to his self-preservation and duty toward country to convince him that just going along to get along is in his best interest. When that doesn’t work, the challenge toward Franz’s patriotism becomes more aggressive and violent and also extends toward Fani and their children with their peers shunning them, refusing to help them when needed, and angrily confronting them as they did with Franz. It is emphasized to the conscientious objector throughout by both his neighbors and Nazis themselves that he can make his pledge to the Reich without anyone being the wiser. So if this is the case, why not just go along and be done with it? It is through this appeal that A Hidden Life finds its greatest and perhaps most salient point about being a principled person.
It is often said that who we are at our core is displayed by how we behave when no one is looking and Franz displays this by remaining steadfast in his defiance regardless of who sees him. Franz’s principled stand will undoubtedly call to mind for many viewers the tough decisions they must make as numerous events unfold around the globe and everyday people are called to stand up against powerful people in defense of their own ideals. It is easy to watch stock footage of black and white tyrants marching through the streets and proclaiming that you would have stood in their way, but as A Hidden Life shows, the path of the courageous is a difficult one that rarely pays immediate dividends and may not be recognized while you are around to hear the songs of praise. Knowing this but pressing on anyway because you are convinced of the righteousness of your beliefs is what makes something courageous.
But standing on your principles when it’s not easy is what makes them principles, as the film highlights in a brilliantly subtle way. Throughout his story, the point is hammered home to Franz that no one is paying attention to his principled stance; why not just sign the loyalty oath and be done with it? That Franz continues for his own peace of mind and faith in God even if no one (in the present) recognizes the effort is what makes him principled.
Frank’s choice is not only a test of his conviction, but also of his faith, as he and his wife call upon the guidance and steady hand of God throughout their ordeal. Both display a steadfast belief that God will guide his devoted followers through any trials and tribulations and that their prayers for a resolution will eventually be answered. On even the most trying moments of his imprisonment, Franz and wife remain convinced of God’s grace.
A Hidden Life is gorgeous to look at and is filled to the brim with Malick’s signature camera work and angles. The intimate way in which he immerses viewers into each shot, placing the camera directly beside, above, or below a character so that they feel as if they’re right next to them in the middle of a scene helps with building a connection to what you’re watching. The scenic views of the Austrian countryside is beautiful, with lush emerald fields and foggy mountain tops; kudos to the location scouts. The colors in the film are striking, even more so considering the ugliness that emanates from the humans that populate the locales featured onscreen.
Terrence Malick has crafted an intimate portrait of self-realization and introspection fit for an era where many are pondering such things about their own place in our current moment. The relevancy to our world is visible not just through the film’s themes, but also in how it portrays a society deep in the midst of groupthink. It is notable how the director portrays how the hatred, anger, and meanness that the Nazis are infamous for poisoned the minds of everyday people, leading them to emulate the same behavior among themselves. In addition to the film’s message, A Hidden Life is a sight to behold, transporting the audience directly into green farmlands and beautiful mountains through intimate camerawork placing us right alongside the characters. With a three-hour run time, it does feel slow and plodding at times with some scenes maybe a little too drawn out and themes and character interactions circled back to one time too often. Still, its strengths outweigh the editing and pacing misses and A Hidden Life feels as if it is speaking directly to the world as it is now, challenging viewers to look within and question their own strength and willingness to do the right no matter what their surrounding environment demands of them. Challenging, thought-provoking, heart-wrenching, and visually striking. What a reminder of what cinema can be when operating at its fullest.
Image: Fox Searchlight
