Thursday, October 31, 2013

PERIOD 6: THE SWING KIDS

For several days you have been watching "The Swing Kids." What did you learn from the film that you didn't know before and what did you think was the most important message of the film?

25 comments:

Olivia Longo said...

After watching “The Swing Kids”, I had a better understanding of why the Nazis were able to get away with killing so many people. The Gestapo completely brainwashed the youth and many Germans. The Nazis were able to kill so many people because few Germans fought back against the Germans. Thomas said to Peter at one point that he should go along with everyone else because it would keep him safe and keep him superior. Germans didn’t go against the Nazis because they were not directly being hurt by the Nazis actions, instead they felt superior. The most important thing I took from the film was something that Peter said, that if you don’t fight against the Nazis, you are just as responsible for the murder of all the Jews and other minorities as the Nazis are.

Rachel Hurkmans said...

I really liked the movie because it gave me a better idea of what it was like in Germany under Hitler for young adults. It also helped me to comprehend why people would join the Nazi. Before watching this movie I couldn't understand why young people would join the Nazi and kill poor insistent people. They had joined because the Gestapo had brainwashed them and made them feel superior to others. In a conversation between Peter and Thomas, Thomas says the advantages to being a Nazi are that he is superior to other people and he gets basically whatever he wants. One of the most important take a ways I got form this movie is that if you don’t stand up for what is right, then you are just as bad as those that are doing wrong. In the movie the crippled boy stands up for what he believes is right by saying he will not play the music the Nazis want him to. He thought that playing what they wanted and making those horrible people happy would make him just as bad as them. Peter also decides to go against the Nazis because he knows what they are doing isn’t right. I believe the message of this movie is similar to a message that has been brought up many time in this class. That message being, “don’t be a sheep”. People should not just go with what everyone else is doing mindlessly. They should stand up for what they believe in.

Klein Muthie said...

I really enjoyed watching this motion picture, especially when the swings kids would go to the dance club(Bismarck CafĂ©) and dance; the music was catchy. I felt like getting up off my chair and dancing. Anyways this movie expressed a group of teenagers-Peter, Thomas and Arvid affection for American swing music, British fashion, and Harlem slang (chose to defy Nazi directives and grow their hair long and listen to American music while calling themselves the "Swing Kids.").They pretended to be Nazi supporters by day while rebelling with the swing music by night. Each of the boys had to choose among family, safety, friendship, and freedom as the Nazis tried to set them against one another. In the end, Thomas tried to kill Peter, but friendship prevailed. Peter had a choice to escape, but chose to go the labor camp and the last words they say to each other are:" “Swing Heil!”

Chloe Skraly said...

After watching this film, I realized how unaware I was of certain things that went on with the Nazis. I didn't know that certain music was banned from listening to. I was also unaware that young men were forced into becoming a Nazi and training to be one. Being Jewish, I feel like I should have known those things. We never went into detail about the Nazis at religious school when I was younger or at regular school. I believe the most important message to this film is to not be a bystander and let things happen that you know are wrong. If enough people have the courage to speak up and do something, the situation could be stopped. The Nazis were not stopped because not enough people spoke up.

Caitlin Potts said...

The movie "Swing Kids" showed me how influential the Nazi party actually was in Germany. It seemed like they basically brainwashed the youth into being one of them. They used the power of media to restrict the younger generations knowledge about what they were doing or what else was out there. Swing Music was banned and people were only to listen to German music . It's really surprising how no one fought back against the nazi's when so many people were dying. I think I understood the point of the movie when Peter refused to run away instead of going to a work camp. He wasn't willing to go with the crowd and just sit back when he knew the Nazi's were doing something bad- instead he did what he felt was right and what he really believed in and I think that's the message of the film.

Elizabeth Volpe said...

I didn't know before watching this film the amount of things that the Nazis did. I did not know that SA members solicited sex from community members in exchange for "protection". I definitely did not know they killed people and then gave their ashes back to the families. This film was so powerful and really showed exactly how the Nazis got to the HItler Youth. They had no one telling them differently and the ones in power who are supposed to be telling them the truth were the one's spewing lies right at them, everyday of their lives. It was so sad to see that Thomas turn into a Nazi but then so emotional to see him at the end. The last words he said really got to me. "swing Heil". It made me happy to know that there were at least some like Peter that went down fighting against the corruption of Hitler.

Leah Bridge said...

From watching the movie "The Swing Kids", I learned how the ways of the Natzis were abel to be spread so quickly. The Gestapo just took all these young kids and brainedwashed them to be just like all the natzis. Thomas is a prime exampel of this because before he has been brainwashed, he was against the ways of the natzis and did what he wanted despite what the larger group of society said. What I feel is the most important thing to take from this film is to not go with just what a group says, be your own person and don't be afraid to be who you are.

Anna Meshreky said...

While watching this movie, I learned a lot about Nazi Germany that I didn't know before. I began to understand how the Nazis were able to get away with killing millions of people. Germans in Nazi Germany were partaking of the spiral of silence. They all knew and had a feeling that what the Nazis were doing was wrong, but they all kept quiet to themselves because no one else was speaking up. Everyone was in fear of the Nazis if they said anything, and many people believed they will be more superior to others if they joined and supported the Nazis. This movie helped me learn that the Nazis tried to hard to get people against each other and were very skilled at brainwashing German citizens.

Ivan Truong said...

The Swing Kids was an entertaining but sad movie. I had not known that simple things such as music and food was banned or discouraged if they weren't German made. Because of this it surprised me when the Nazis arrested people for attending the swing parties. I couldn't imagine living in Germany where the cultural activities that were not German were banned.
I also felt extremely bad for Peter. It must have been so frustrating and upsetting that the Nazis are treating those who want to keep their own cultural identity so badly and there was nothing one person alone could do about it. Even when he consulted his friends, some had already been changed by the Nazis.

Brittany Baxendale said...

I really enjoyed this movie because it gave me a better understanding of why people joined the Hitler youth. I was shocked by how much that could change a person. Parts of this movie were hard to watch. It was sad and hard to watch people get beat up for no reason. I think it was inspiring how few people stood up for themselves and the Jews. They were not being bystanders.

Emily Zarrilli said...

Before watching this movie I really had no understanding of what lead up to Nazi's being created and how they actually managed to get people to join. I believe that Hitler's ideas really just overpowered the entire country and these kids felt obligated to join because that was what was popular at the time. It's really hard for people to be individuals even at this day in age and this can be a true cause of destruction. It amazed me how easily people turned on their friends and even their parents just because they could, and because they were taught it was okay. I truly do not understand how no other countries had any involvement in German affairs for so long. This movie was really moving because it really showed human nature and how malleable kid's and teenager's minds are.

Ashley Chiu said...

Before watching this movie, I had heard about the Nazis using propaganda to brainwash Germans into going along with their regime, but this movie showed exactly how hard it was to resist. For someone like Thomas, who completely changed throughout the movie, it seemed like the Nazi Youth was like a brotherhood for him, a place where he could belong and feel better about himself. Even those who were able to mentally resist it, like Arvid, were put in a situation where everything around them, like their friends, had completely changed. I think the most important message was also what Peter realized by the end of the film: the importance of standing for what's right, even if it's against the majority and if it's easier just to turn a blind eye.

Shannon lawton said...

While watching this film I learned a few things I didn't know. Some of the things I learned were that nazis dislike people based on not only religion or skin color but also on the music they listen to and I didn't know that people joined the nazis just to keep themselves safe. Also I didn't realize that once you join the nazis they brainwash you further than all the propaganda already has. To me the most important message in the film was to stay true to who you are like the main character did. Even after joining the nazis he still stood for his beliefs and didn't let anything change them. Even at the end if the movie when his best friend beats him up and they take him away he still sings to them "it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing"

Kevin Koenigsberg said...

When we started watching the movie, I was confused for a while because of how American the kids in the movie seemed. I then realized how inconceivable it was for the Nazis to have brainwashed an entire generation. I never understood that there was a significant resistance against the Nazis from the youth of Germany. It only adds to the madness that Hitler and the Nazis caused. The most striking part of the film for me was seeing how one of the Swing Kids allowed himself to believe the Nazi propaganda and became a Nazi himself. The most important message from this film is that no matter what happens; never lose sight of who you really are.

Ryan Neil said...

I learned that there were still people in Germany who stuck to their own morale code. Being told every day that you were of the superior race, and your way of life is sacred and should be kept as it is, probably felt very good. And that is why it was so easy for almost every citizen of Germany to fall for this vicious propaganda. This movie took this idea, and showed it off a couple of different ideas. It took on the position of one kid to show how easy it was to lose your morale compass and fall for what the masses are telling you. The other kid (along with the kid who killed himself) showed the strength of some individuals, and how they were able to stand up to the chaos swirling around them, and keep there senses enough to say that what is going on is wrong. I believe all together these three kids combined to get to the important message of the film, which is to be yourself. Don't let others decide who you are, make that decision yourself.

Maddi Avergon said...

Seeing this movie it was much easier to see how Hitler’s youth brainwashing played out, as apposed to just hearing it. Thomas was sucked in after seeing all the nice perks of being a Nazi. I was totally shocked when I saw his change happening after all he went through to fight for Arvid’s honor. I also had no idea that music was involved in the Nazi takeover. Swing Music was banned and people were only to listen to German music because swing music was an output for anger and resilience and the Nazi party needed it’s youth o have a compliant mind set and personality.

Shannon Connors said...

After watching The Swing Kids, I had a completely new perspective on the Nazi party. My views towards the Nazi party were the same, but I learned a lot about the creation of the Nazi party and its paralyzing influence on the young generations. It showed me how much the Nazi party and Nazi mind set changed each German teenager and their view of life. Very few could see the bad in what their country was doing. The party complete changed their way of life as their education changed strictly to following and learning the ways of Hitler. I also became aware of the fact that the Jews, gypsies and non German people were not the only one being restricted in life. Nazi members were banned from reading certain kinds of books and listening to certain types of music. It thus, in a way, took away some of German children's freedoms. I also became aware of the actions of the Nazis toward the older generation. I didn't know that Nazi officials would execute anyone suspected of going against the party. Overall, I thought one of the most important messages of this film is based around this idea that in society, sacrifice is having the ability to use the voice each individual is given. Also, I took away from the film this idea that by not using your voice and by not doing anything, you are doing everything. Thousands of Nazi children and adults were swayed by the words of Hitler and did nothing to stop his actions or even their own actions. Such by standing allowed the majority support of Hitler to grow making it easier and easier to do what he told them to do.

Jake Foster said...

"The swing kids" taught me that determination is not only for adults but it can also live in childrens lives. The movie taught me that the termination is key to succeeding in any movement. I was inspired by the swing kids, I feel like I can make a difference now and nothing will stop me. The movie was truly sad because the Germans were treating everyone so terribly and with no respect but it also taught me a good lesson to never conform to what you don't believe in freedom is what you will fight for and died for the next generation to live free. At the end when peter fights his friend, he shows that he will never give his pride up and he will fight for freedom and for his friend that died and for his father.

Sabrina Herstedt said...

I really enjoyed this movie and though it was heartbreaking. I didn't know that people would forge birth certificates and deliver them to certain people for their protection. I had no idea "swing kids" existed, or that swing was technically illegal to the German people. There were a few messages that I though were specifically important. One being, know who your friends are. This saying is thrown around a lot more towards the end when there is a recognizable divide between the two boys. Secondly, as the Gestapo said, know what you're getting into before signing up for something. In the movie I found this ironic because as a nazi, he is informing the boy to turn in his boss. He is telling him to "be aware" it what he's actually doing at work, when his men are brain washing him in the hitler youth program. And lastly, we are all reaponsible. as one boy said, even if we directly arent killing people, we are contributing. playing that one song or tipping off a nazi all indirectly hold you responsible. These were messages I really took away from the movie.

Ethan Peterson said...

After watching the film, "The Swing Kids" I relize how important it is to not fall under peer pressure and stick to your own personal identity. Allowing others to determine how you act is not a pleasant way to live. I enjoyed the movie and thought the acting was great. I understand the magnitude of the Nazi's power during Hitler's reign of power. I like that these kids ecspecially Peters tried to fight the party and have a sense of a moral compass.

Lalith Pramod Ganjikunta said...

After I watched this movie, I realized what there were people who were aware of the wrong actions that the society in which they live are taking place and they do nothing about it. But there are some people during the Nazi regime who stood up Againest the atrocities like the swing kids and weren't afraid to die just so they could speak out. They make me feel as though I should speak out if I don't like the ideas and overall they inspire me to do a lot of good things

Abby Underwood said...

This movie really showed me what life was like in Germany during the nazi reign. I never really understood how much the minds of the youth were able to be corrupted. They even turned in their parents for being disloyal to Hitler. I think one important message is to stay strong in your beliefs. In this movie the two boys started out loving swing and their friend and hating the nazis. After joining the Hitler Youth the beliefs of one of them was able to be overpowered by the desire to survive and he turned on his best friend of many years because he didnt fit into the standard that the Hitler Youth taught.

Kate Burgess said...

I could not believe what I saw in “The Swing Kids.” These young men joined the Hitler youth sometimes against their will and were brainwashed. The kids were forced through different classes showing how they were the superior race and how bad Jews and other unwanted and inferior races were. They were bribed with nice uniforms and bikes. They were forced to say things against their moral judgment and turn in their own parents and friends knowing exactly what was going to happen to them. I can’t believe all of this happened yet at the same time I’m starting to understand how it happened through the brainwashing of the young.

Rodrigo.Arguello said...

Before watching the film i had not even known that there was a movement called the swing kids. It surprised me immensely to see the change that occurred in the mind of young me as they were re-educated in what was right and wrong by Nazis. They were brainwashed so much that the kids were used as spies for the Nazis and reported the friends and family to superiors. In the film it was considered alright to be a Nazi just because everybody else was and because they got what they wanted and nobody could stop them. The fact that a movement like the swing kids was created and endured to see the demise of the Nazis is amazing.

Rodrigo.Arguello said...

Before watching the film i had not even known that there was a movement called the swing kids. It surprised me immensely to see the change that occurred in the mind of young me as they were re-educated in what was right and wrong by Nazis. They were brainwashed so much that the kids were used as spies for the Nazis and reported the friends and family to superiors. In the film it was considered alright to be a Nazi just because everybody else was and because they got what they wanted and nobody could stop them. The fact that a movement like the swing kids was created and endured to see the demise of the Nazis is amazing.