The whole film is not difficult to parse, given the role of Nina Hoss and the association with Christian Petzold. Petzold is a master allegorist and satirist of post-WW2 Germany. Todd Field has taken on Petzold's mantle and delivered an allegory and satire of post-WW2 America, and its pretensions to universal liberalism. American foreign policy is Lydia Tarr - I will get you, and God is watching. A hick with chips on both shoulders, born with monstrous (technical) abilities and a ferocious work ethic, sermonising with world-trotting ambition, ending undiminished with cosplay in Vietnam. As Swift says, those satirised rarely see themselves in the mirror, and the best satires are those where the target is unaware. It's so common for American arrogance and folly, and glib liberal critics, to never go named in the mirror. Bravo maestro, Field!
The whole film is not difficult to parse, given the role of Nina Hoss and the association with Christian Petzold. Petzold is a master allegorist and satirist of post-WW2 Germany. Todd Field has taken on Petzold's mantle and delivered an allegory and satire of post-WW2 America, and its pretensions to universal liberalism. American foreign policy is Lydia Tarr - I will get you, and God is watching. A hick with chips on both shoulders, born with monstrous (technical) abilities and a ferocious work ethic, sermonising with world-trotting ambition, ending undiminished with cosplay in Vietnam. As Swift says, those satirised rarely see themselves in the mirror, and the best satires are those where the target is unaware. It's so common for American arrogance and folly, and glib liberal critics, to never go named in the mirror. Bravo maestro, Field!