Rabbit a la Berlin

Rabbit a la Berlin is an enthralling and deeply poignant documentary that provides a vividly unique perspective on a pivotal period of history. Animated by both a gnawing sense of discomfort and a dash of bone-dry humour, the film uses an unexpected standpoint to revisit events – from the angle of the rabbits who inhabited the no-man’s-land along the Berlin Wall.

The movie, released in 2009, is a Polish-German production directed by Bartek Konopka and Piotr Rosołowski, who delve into a narrative that has been often overlooked. Rabbit a la Berlin, a nominee for a 2010 Academy award for Best Short Documentary, offers a bizarre, yet visceral commentary on the nature and effects of political oppression and freedom.

In the 28 years of its existence, the Berlin Wall, symbolic of the divide between the East and West, became a strangely safe haven for a colony of rabbits. The free zone around the wall, designed to keep humans out, ironically became a haven for the animals, protecting them from natural predators. They burrowed, bred, and lived a life of apparent safety and comfort.

Through archival footage, narrated by compelling and engaging voice-over, Rabbit a la Berlin presents this unique community of rabbits as a sovereign entity, living and evolving in parallel with the sociopolitical changes outside their warren. The film blurs the distinction between wildlife documentary and political allegory.

Konopka and Rosołowski use the existence of the rabbits as an unconventional lens to examine the divided city of Berlin. From the construction to the fall of the Wall, the rabbits become reluctant inhabitants and observers of the volatile human world beyond their home. When viewing the film, audiences are offered a fresh perspective of these historic events, where this creature's experience mirrors the larger human condition.

While the movie is centrally about the rabbits, it ultimately serves as a thought-provoking reflection on inhabitants' adaptation and survival in oppressive and divided societies - symbolic of the German population trapped on either side of the Wall. The filmmakers subtly capture complex themes such as adaptation to oppression, the illusion of safety, and the paradox of freedom with originality and analytical depth.

The documentary leverages archival footage from both East and West sides – fascinating, sometimes mundane, surreal, or shocking - to provide a broader context of life during that period. Interspersed with the narrative are interviews with individuals who interacted with the zone in various capacities, offering a rich tapestry of memories that challenge and stir our human consciousness.

Porcelain-white rabbits hopping around in the foreground of one of modern history's most oppressive symbols buoys the film with an aura of absurdity. Yet, it’s this intrinsic absurdity that makes Rabbit a la Berlin even more compelling to watch. It’s a testament to the ingenuity of the filmmakers that they have transmuted a seemingly arcane premise into an exploration of universal themes – of home, migration, survival, and freedom.

The film also offers impeccable aesthetics, as it expertly melds together multifaceted elements like vivid nature footage, grainy newsreels, and reflective narration. These parts coalesce to form a sensory experience that captures the dramatic aura and surreal nature of the era it depicts.

The narration is another significant contributor to the documentary’s overall expression. It’s detached and stoic but injected with an undercurrent of dry Witticism that serves to heighten the inherent irony of the rabbits' existence.

In conclusion, Rabbit a la Berlin narrates a poignant chapter in history through the juxtaposition of human beings and wild animals, delivering an intelligent and evocative allegory of political oppression and the will to survive under challenging circumstances. With its unexpected and innovative angle, artful delivery, and the adroit blend of humour and stark realism, the film offers a profound observation of historical events for both history enthusiasts and casual viewers.