Netflix recently promised subscribers that it will end end region-locked streaming as soon as possible, and the service is now working to acquire titles that can be streamed worldwide. Their most recent acquisition is the German satire Look Who’s Back, about a newly-awakened Hitler’s struggle in the modern world and eventual pursuit of a career in comedy (yikes).
The Hollywood Reporter explains,
Look Who’s Back was the sleeper hit of the year in Germany, earning $21.9 million (€19.6 million) in general release in the country. Director David Wnendt opted for a Borat-style approach in adapting [Timur] Vermes’ novel, combining fictional scenes with hidden-camera encounters, in which actor Oliver Masucci, as Hitler, meets up with regular Germans on the streets of Berlin.
Netflix will have global rights for the film, which will appear on streaming services April 9th, “outside of German-speaking Europe, Benelux, Japan, Taiwan, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.”
What do you all think of this news? Personally, the film’s subject matter makes me very, very wary and, at least judging by their ongoing deal with Adam Sandler, Netflix isn’t overly concerned with good taste or respect for sensitive subject matter.
That being said, from what I’ve read about Look Who’s Back, it sounds like a thoughtful addition to an important sub-genre of films that punch up at dictators and fascists. If you don’t mind some spoilers, The Atlantic has an interesting article on the history of ‘Nazi comedies’ and how Look Who’s Back improves on earlier satires to a certain extent.
Thoughts?
—Please make note of The Mary Sue’s general comment policy.—
Do you follow The Mary Sue on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, & Google +?
