This is the 2019 music video for the song Rammstein, the German band that has had gigantic successes for decades now everywhere in the world with their pretty unique approach to music. At almost 9.5 minutes, it is a pretty long music video and the title already gives away that this is their tribute to the country that they originate from. There is a lot of history in here. The film starts with Germany during the Roman Empire and later on of course also the Nazi years are elaborated on, even if the latter is really just not handled too well and barely about Germany. In any case, if you know a bit about Rammstein, then you know their approach to music videos. Huge effects always, pompous costumes and a whole lot of make-up. This is even more extreme this time and the trademark ignition is not missing either of course. But yeah I was not too impressed. For me it felt a whole lot like style over substance, but nonetheless I am not surprised by any means that this attracted millions and millions of views on Youtube in under a week while being a huge chart success here in Germany as well once again. The director is "Specter Berlin" whatever that alias means and the cast list includes some people too that you may have come across in other projects as well. But not really any to be proud of or with respectable bodies of work. Frauenarzt, enough said. The only thing in here that comes close to a true performance or acting role is Ruby Commey's first career credits as Germania and as she is a black woman, that of course is also very controversial as this can be interpreted on Rammstein's take on the refugee crisis, especially looking at how Germania here does not have the most positive thing in mind for Germany most of the time in this music video. In general, like many other times with Rammstein, they profit a lot from controversial moments and statements without being entirely explicit atg what they mean with that and how serious it is. Or if they are just toying with the viewers. This approach has worked for a long time and obviously still does. Also if you look at the number of votes this has scored here on imdb, more than most music videos have gotten in years if not decades. But I am not convinced, neither by the "song" nor by the video. It does feel pretentious at times, even if I am sure I have not seen half of all the "meaningful" and "important" references and symbolisms in here. Skip this one. Not recommended.
Addition 14/06/2019: this song is still in my head, so I will add two more stars, I still believe the music video is not that great, but with "the usual Rammstein" can now also be interpreted in the sense that they are usually fine
Addition 14/06/2019: this song is still in my head, so I will add two more stars, I still believe the music video is not that great, but with "the usual Rammstein" can now also be interpreted in the sense that they are usually fine