THE WALDHEIM WALTZ, Austria’s submission for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards, tells the story of ex-President Kurt Josef Waldheim’s rise to power and the controversy surrounding his numerous connections to Hitler’s Third Reich. Austria is currently the only West-European nation since World War II to be governed by the far-right, and Waldheim’s story is more relevant than ever.

Contrary to the title, THE WALDHEIM WALTZ is less about the man himself, and more an exploration of the societal conflict caused as his wartime past came to light. The film plays like a highlight reel of archive footage, augmented with director Ruth Beckermann’s thoughtful and incisive commentary, drawing upon her personal experience as a political protester during Waldheim’s reign. It’s a simple setup, but energetic editing combined with Beckermann’s wry sense of humour and critical, self-aware eye keep each politically charged minute engaging.

It’s these brief moments of humanity where the film truly shines – a crude message drawn on a phone booth, a politician’s subtle jab, a judge’s blistering tirade on Waldheim’s son. Beckermann does an excellent job of showing the conflict between Waldheim’s supporters and critics, both on the ground and all the way up to the highest levels of government. Comparisons to our modern political climate are clear to see, however Beckermann refuses to lean into this, choosing instead to let it remain subtext. While some may understandably see this as a missed opportunity, it allows the film to remain focused and streamlined – a pinpoint strike on the system she was herself a victim of.

Despite her position, however, Beckermann never tells the audience what to think, instead choosing to ask questions and allow the viewer to come to their own conclusions. To achieve this, Beckermann draws from a huge range of footage captured over Waldheim’s run for Presidency, stringing together countless press releases, interviews and found footage into a clean, neat narrative that rarely becomes muddled or difficult to follow.

THE WALDHEIM WALTZ could have easily come off as dry, but recent events combined with Beckermann’s knack for telling a story keep it feeling fresh and urgent all the way until the credits roll.

THE WALDHEIM WALTZ screens again at the Cambridge Film Festival on Saturday 27th October 2018, 17.15 at The Light Cinema.