The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

Even though many films have brilliantly shown the topic of neo- Nazism and its rise in contemporary society, Kriegerin ("Combat girls") focuses on the role of women in this environment. In the core of a strongly misogynistic ideology, women have to be twice as violent to impose themselves and find their own place. But it is not this exacerbate violence or hatred (even if it is realistic) that constitutes the strength of the movie, but the slowly change that takes place in Marisa thanks to an Afghan teen who she will help without really knowing why. Located in a cold economically fragile Germany, the boy will turn Marisa's life outside down. The symbolism of "a life lost is a life gained" is strong and the characters are colourful. The coup de grâce of the film comes from its poetry that is well-paced distilled and, between one aggression and another, manage to break through the film's cold colours, making it even more beautiful. Full review on our blog : https://losindiscretos.org/english/combat-girls-2011-david-wnendt

"Kriegerin" (German term for a female warrior) is a 4-year-old 105-minute movie written and directed by David Wnendt. The best way to see this is not as a film which will tell you accurately about life as a Nazi or life in a Nazi community, but as a character study of two females and what factors caused them to end up in this company of right-wing extremists. It has a lot to do with the behavior from their parents including emotional and physical (the cigarette scene) abuse by those who are supposed to protect them and help them finding their place in life. The way these two girls developed during the movie makes it obvious that they do not necessarily believe in the ideal of Nazis, but their acting in accordance with them is really more a consequence of wanting to belong somewhere and being accepted the way they are. However, quite ironically, they are changing in order to be accepted and they willingly do so. I am not really sure if I found Levshin's or Haase's character more interesting. However, it is obvious that Levshin's character sees parallels to herself in Haase's character. And as she becomes more tolerant (also thanks to the boy), she tries to be a helping hand to Haase's character and maybe prevent her from making the same mistakes she did.This was the big breakthrough film for Ukrainian-born Alina Levshin. She won a German Film Award for it and is since considered among the top actresses of her generation on the German market. And it was also one of Haase's breakthrough films. David Wnendt won a German Film Award as well for his screenplay and the film itself was honored as the third best movie of the year. Wnendt went on to direct the heavily-discussed "Feuchtgebiete" (based on Charlotte Roche's novel) after that, an in my opinion terrible film that couldn't be more different from "Kriegerin". Still, somehow I expected more from "Kriergerin". I really do not believe the screenplay is that good. It's almost entirely Levshin's performance which holds this film so well together. At times, especially at the very final scene near the sea this film could have done with tome more subtlety in my opinion. But Wnendt went for over-the-top showiness instead sadly. Also, I would have preferred an approach which not only displays the women in the Nazi community as victims or as somewhat good people. Maybe one of the guys helping the girls would have been nice as well. It's almost sexist. With some slight alterations, this could have been an actually great film and not only a decent one. Still, all in all, I recommend watching it.

There are movies worth seeing and movies which need to be seen. This is both. It's a brilliant piece of acting by the whole cast, with a stellar performance from Alina levshin, and an understated but efficient directing from David Wnendt. But it is also a frighteningly cold and accurate view of neo nazism. The routine violence and hate carried by these young individuals echoes of all the fanaticism that surrounds us today. It is a very disturbing depiction of how society is step by step going to waste, turning back to tribal models.Despite the fact that the movie gets watched without any slowing down or loss of interest, even if it can make one feel a little voyeuristic at times, this is no easy viewing, don't expect to come out of the theater with anything resembling a smile on your face. But at lest you'll be sure to have food for thought and both a new director/writer and actress whose careers you'll want to keep following.

This excellent film is about young adolescents, who painfully discover that their modest intellectual capacities do not match the high standards of today's complicated Western society.The disappointment & frustration, fed by their failure to connect, result in political extremism. German neo-Nazism unites them in hatred, providing emotional shelter as well as a channel to demonstrate their views. Inevitably it all leads to a dead end.'Kriegerin' (= German for 'female warrior') stands out for two reasons. First, the excellent acting of lead Alina Levshin; second, the way this film is shot.'Kriegerin's picturing is very sober. No menu to start with, no trailer, no interviews, no deleted scenes; just the film. When on its way, we find the film's picturing done from a pretty narrow angle. Forcing you to concentrate on its action & interaction, leaving out any opportunity to enjoy a panoramic landscape or whatsoever. In this way 'Kriegerin's picturing connects with the limited views on life & society by its participants.