Swing Kids
Swing Kids
Before and during World War II was a tough time to live in Nazi Germany. The new laws and way of life during this period affected society of all ages in numerous different ways. New political and social groups were formed both to support and oppose the Nazi and the Gestapo leaders. One of these groups was known as the Swing Kids who listened to Jewish and black swing music and danced at illegal clubs against the Nazis. The movie, “Swing Kids”, explains this group of teenagers. The movie opens in Hamburg, Germany in the year of 1939. Three best friends are taking a walk and see gestapo officers chasing a Jewish man until he jumps to his death at a nearby bridge. Although the boys are not necessarily supportive of the Jewish community, they are very against the Nazis and their supporters. One of the teenagers is crippled and, as the other two boys race home, he is left alone. Throughout the movie, we see the taking over of the Nazi government and the harming everyone who doesn’t meet the standards of that “superior” Aryan race that the new government strives for. The friends attend parties throughout the movie that are against the Nazi’s laws. The parties normally are crashed by the opposing Hitler Jugand, which are young Nazis in training for the army. These young boys are constantly subjected to propaganda comparing Jews to rats and explaining how the fascism of the Nazis is the only correct way. The Swing Kids see previous members of their group convert to Nazism. They believe that this will never happen to them and that they will never be pulled apart. However, these wishes do not happen. When two of the friends are caught stealing a radio, one of the friends is told that he either needs to join the HJ party or be shipped to a work camp. He, of course, decides to join the party. His best friend joins with him in order to stay together. They believe that the propaganda will never get to them and they will stay, “HJ by day, Swing
Before and during World War II was a tough time to live in Nazi Germany. The new laws and way of life during this period affected society of all ages in numerous different ways. New political and social groups were formed both to support and oppose the Nazi and the Gestapo leaders. One of these groups was known as the Swing Kids who listened to Jewish and black swing music and danced at illegal clubs against the Nazis. The movie, “Swing Kids”, explains this group of teenagers. The movie opens in Hamburg, Germany in the year of 1939. Three best friends are taking a walk and see gestapo officers chasing a Jewish man until he jumps to his death at a nearby bridge. Although the boys are not necessarily supportive of the Jewish community, they are very against the Nazis and their supporters. One of the teenagers is crippled and, as the other two boys race home, he is left alone. Throughout the movie, we see the taking over of the Nazi government and the harming everyone who doesn’t meet the standards of that “superior” Aryan race that the new government strives for. The friends attend parties throughout the movie that are against the Nazi’s laws. The parties normally are crashed by the opposing Hitler Jugand, which are young Nazis in training for the army. These young boys are constantly subjected to propaganda comparing Jews to rats and explaining how the fascism of the Nazis is the only correct way. The Swing Kids see previous members of their group convert to Nazism. They believe that this will never happen to them and that they will never be pulled apart. However, these wishes do not happen. When two of the friends are caught stealing a radio, one of the friends is told that he either needs to join the HJ party or be shipped to a work camp. He, of course, decides to join the party. His best friend joins with him in order to stay together. They believe that the propaganda will never get to them and they will stay, “HJ by day, Swing