It’s still so crazy to me how Albrecht and Friedrich are perfect parallels and opposites to each other like DAMN. Albrecht being the guy who is against violence and the regime, despite coming from a family that endorses and engages in it. Friedrich being the more violent of the two, and indulging in the regime despite coming from a family that disapprove of it.
But when they are put in a certain situation and being manipulated into it, they go against their nature. Albrecht actually being violent towards Friedrich in the boxing basement, not only physically but also verbally. And Friedrich knocking someone out, even looking like he’s having fun while doing so.
Also how their ways to escape their regime contrast but also mirror each other’s ways.
Albrecht’s death being the only one he inflicted purposefully on anyone, that being himself. In the movie, it’s portrayed rather peacefully, but drowning is usually a really violent and painful death. Especially in the cold.
And Friedrich’s escape is simply non-compliance. Refusing to knock his opponent out, despite having every reason to, as it would have a positive impact on his future.
“But how do they mirror each other?”
Well, Albrecht is the one who never complied to his father, aka the regime. He didn’t want to, because it went against his morals. Although he’s not exactly what his father wanted, he still could’ve integrated himself into the regime somehow, but as we know he didn’t do that. Instead he challenged it, knowing it would result in his death one way or another.
And Friedrich was the violent of the two. It got him the place at Allenstein, and it was the regimes way of pulling him in. But his violence wasn’t irrational, he was calculated with it, even being hesitant to hurt someone in a way that would result serious injury.
Albrecht’s way of life was Friedrich’s escape; and Friedrich’s way of life was Albrecht’s escape.
Dennis Gansell cooked some insane stuff with Napola
