Kuhle Wampe : Politics of Montage, De-montage of Politics?

Discusses "Kuhle Wampe", a film made by a collective led by Bertolt Brecht and Slatan Dudov in 1931. Argues that this was the first, and last, serious communist film produced in Weimar Germany, and used various techniques, especially montage and music, in a manner which contributed to the view that film is art rather than an aspect of the culture industry. Examines the collective's use of montage under the influence of Soviet cinema, and goes on to discuss questions of reality and representation. Concludes by attempting to show that the film's message is more complex than it may first appear, and continues to be relevant today. (Quotes from original text)