This past week we’ve been getting a few glimpses of director Amma Asante’s latest film “Where Hands Touch” on social media. The film’s plot follows fifteen year-old Leyna (portrayed by Amandla Stenberg), who has a white German mother and a black father, and her romance with Lutz (portrayed by George MacKay), the son of a significant SS officer, and a member of the Hitler Youth. Tantrum films state, “They fall helplessly in love, putting their lives at risk as all around them the persecution of Jews and those deemed ‘non-pure’ slowly unfolds. Does their love stand a chance amidst violence and hatred?”
18 year-old Amandla Stenberg, who is starring in this film, is an activist who promotes equality and speaks up against racism, homophobia, cultural appropriation, sexism, and cissexism. With over a million followers on Instagram and an active Tumblr, they have provoked many important conversations and attracted several like minded activists. As a result, Amandla’s voice has heavy influence and respect among youth interested in social justice and activism, and they have a responsibility to their followers.
Several of Amandla’s followers, including myself, were unsettled by the images and brief synopsis of Asente’s film that were released this week.
Amandla Stenberg is going to be starring in a movie about a biracial/Black woman in a relationship with a Nazi soldier during WW2…. pic.twitter.com/rJe9sEqrmU
— p v r i z ☯ (@withbrutality) February 9, 2017
*reads that Amandla Stenberg is starring in a movie where her character falls in love with a goddamn nazi* pic.twitter.com/IP6nDw1Gwl
— DrQuinMedicineBitch (@marfmellow) February 9, 2017
Wow. I'm so disappointed in Amandla. How could she think this was okay? In this movie she is basically falling in love with a Nazi. https://t.co/gn0KCrLM2R
— Ᏸecca? (@MJStarLover) February 12, 2017
What has been presented thus far is a Romeo and Julietesque forbidden love story that utilizes Nazi Germany and Hilter’s regime as a backdrop for their romance. Using the pain and torture of millions as a romantic plot device is insensitive, especially when one of the protagonists belongs to the group inflicting pain. Period pieces starring people of color are difficult to find and have great importance. Therefore, I desperately want to believe this movie won’t romanticize or normalize Nazis, although the concept and images give me no hope. Advertising a romance involving a SS in a method that attempts to make it appear raw and beautiful is already enough of an influence on the minds of its potential audience, and enough to make me turn away from the film altogether.
We must remember, we are living in a generation where Nazi ideologies are still spread and encouraged by Neo-nazis and “alt-right” extremist groups.
We can’t afford to be promoting content that sympathizes with fascists. Creating a plot line where one falls in love with an SS is dangerous territory, because we are now normalizing this character and likely idealizing him as a strong love interest. Why make a Nazi a protagonist that the audience is meant to like or care for? Why not give the spotlight to the Jewish people and other targeted groups and the bonds and relationships they form in a time ridden with horror and fear? Yes, give people of color and other minorities period pieces, but give them a story line that shows their strength, resilience, and intelligence. Perhaps Stenberg’s character is strong and powerful, but their reliance on and sympathy for someone belonging to a fascist group does not allow them to be the role model we so desperate need to see represented in film.
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