ISLAMABAD: The German Embassy in Islamabad, in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut and Blackbox Sounds, hosted a special screening of the acclaimed German film Der Untertan – The Kaiser’s Lackey. This 1951 cinematic work from then East Germany, is based on the novel by Heinrich Mann and is widely regarded as a classic of German cinema. The film chronicles the life of Diederich Hessling, a German industrialist in the early 20th century who rises through society by flattering those in power and oppressing those beneath him. The Kaiser’s Lackey offers a stark and critical portrayal of an extremely nationalistic and militarized society in the years leading up to World War I. The screening was attended by a diverse audience, including members of civil society, cultural activists, representatives from the media, and members of the diplomatic community. DNA
