The Waldheim Waltz

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1:33

The Waldheim Waltz

2018

1h 33m

Documentary

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16 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Filmmaker Ruth Beckermann documents the process of uncovering former UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim's wartime past. It shows the swift succession of new allegations by the World Jewish Congress during his Austrian presidential campaign, the denial by the Austrian political class, and the outbreak of anti-Semitism and patriotism, which finally led to his election.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

An extraordinary, queasy tale.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 21, 2022

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Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

How this all played out in terms of the Austrian election will surprise no one, but seeing how much the situation came to prefigure the contemporary house of mirrors in Europe as well as America still comes as something of a shock.

Nov 15, 2018

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Bilge Ebiri

New York Times

The film may end in 1986, but the darkness it reveals still looms.

Oct 18, 2018

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Peter Sobczynski

eFilmCritic.com

Beckmann presents a compelling portrait of a once-revered figure forced to come to terms with the sins of his past.

Mar 15, 2019

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Deborah Krieger

Jewish Currents

The Waldheim Waltz functions as both an invaluable look at a protest movement fighting against a right-wing political insurgency, and also a call to action, creating a sense of righteous fury and a desire to prevent another Waldheim affair.

Dec 25, 2018

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Stuart Klawans

The Nation

[It] speaks even more directly to our current situation...

Nov 19, 2018

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dave d

Austrian filmmaker Ruth Beckermann investigates the erasure of Austria's Nazi-era past by profiling former U.N. Secretary General and Austrian President Kurt Waldheim. It is frankly scary how many parallels can be found by listening to Waldheim and some major political figures today. The talking points haven't changed much, but make no mistake this is a doc that is laser focused on taking down Waldheim. It would certainly appear he's a very bad man that either wanted to forget about his past or lie about it or perhaps both. Beckman takes a sledgehammer to what's left of her subject's reputation and pulverizes it to a pulp. I liked the film. The archival footage was tied together even if the material is a little thin. It's important people don't try to whitewash history of the bad things. Final Score: 8.3/10

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Ruth Beckermann

Director

Ruth Beckermann

Screenwriter

Ruth Beckermann

Producer

Dieter Pichler

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The Waldheim Waltz: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Filmmaker Ruth Beckermann documents the process of uncovering former UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim's wartime past. It shows the swift succession of new allegations by the World Jewish Congress during his Austrian presidential campaign, the denial by the Austrian political class, and the outbreak of anti-Semitism and patriotism, which finally led to his election.

Director: Ruth Beckermann
Producer: Ruth Beckermann
Screenwriter: Ruth Beckermann
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: German
Release Date (Streaming): May 28, 2019
Runtime: 1h 33m

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