Baader-Meinhof Complex: the New Left, Counterculture, and costuming

If you are a Netflixer, maybe you also received heavy promotion of the 2008 film "The Baader Meinhof Complex"? I finally got around to watching it while I was laying about yesterday, and while I loved the story, I also really loved the clothing. Clothing plays a special role, because the characters are often in disguise, or trying to look inconspicuous, or give off a certain impression for strategic reasons. The central characters in the film are members of the Red Army Faction, a left wing "urban guerrilla" movement (or domestic terrorist, depending on your perspective) from West Germany, between 1967-1977. (The RAF actually continued in the 1990s, but has officially disbanded).

As you may know, I love 1970s fashions, so this film was like fashion crack for me. Some late 1960s styles were present as well. The lighting is always the best, as Ulli Edel relies heavily on natural light. (Also screen shots and stills from promotional materials, here and here)

Arriving in Jordan, the female characters are dressed like Anthro girls

These left wing revolutionaries are too cool for school (literally, they don't deal well with the Jordanian training camp)

That coat! That hair! The leather jacket! Blokey and I spent weeks on ebay trying to find something similar

This is one of the scenes were the characters are trying to dress up in a way to put folks at ease, to hide their intentions. Mr. Ponto is a politically significant leader, with a personal connection to the young woman in the floral dress. Her white leather belt is perfect. You can't see in this picture, but the longer haired girl has a chain link purse strap around her neck.

The gorgeous camel colored boots, the longer slim jackets, and killer accessories (hat, scarf) make this bomb team a style win

And of course, the lovely and talented Martina Gedeck, famous in the States (perhaps) for her adorable role in Mostly Martha (which later inspired a tepid remake called No Reservations, and The Lives of Others). She's one of my favorite actresses, German speaking or not.

Just to get a better look at the length of Martina's dress. Adorable nautical brass button details. I don't know which types of bodies are supposed to be able to pull off dropped waisted dresses, but Martina sure does. Amazing color.