Vita Activa: The Spirit of Hannah Arendt

Hannah Arendt, a well-known German-Jewish philosopher, caused a great uproar in the 1960s by coining the subversive concept of the “banality of evil” when referring to the Nazi evil. Her private life was no less controversial thanks to her love affair with a renowned German philosopher and Nazi supporter Martin Heidegger. She was one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century who both lived through and wrote about the open wounds of modern times. Arendt’s insights about the nature of evil, the plight of refugees and dangers of any ideology sound today more relevant than ever. The deep humanistic message at the core of her thinking is no less relevant.

The film offers an intricate portrait of Hannah Arendt as we travel to places where she lived, worked, loved and was betrayed. Through the creative use of archival materials, the film also revives her brilliant analysis of the turmoil of the 20th century.

“Highly thought-provoking…”, Sneak Film

“A masterpiece of documentary filmmaking that delves deep rather than whitewash…” Shany Littman, Ha’aretz

“… the ultimate choice of the controversial as the place from which to illuminate Arendt’s greatness.” Yitzchak Laor, Ha’aretz

“A wonderful tribute to one of the most important women thinkers of the 20th century”, villamedia.nl