The Candidate (1980 film)

The Candidate (German: Der Kandidat) is a 1980 West German documentary film directed by Volker Schlöndorff, Stefan Aust, Alexander Kluge and Alexander von Eschwege. It competed in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1980 Cannes Film Festival.^[1]

The documentary follows the political campaign and activities of Franz Josef Strauß, the conservative Bavarian politician and leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), during his bid for the West German chancellorship in 1980. The film provides an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at Strauß's campaign strategies, public appearances, and private moments as he attempts to unseat the incumbent Social Democratic government.

The directors employ a observational cinema approach, capturing candid moments that reveal the complexities of political leadership and the machinery of democratic campaigns. The film documents campaign rallies, strategy meetings, media interviews, and informal gatherings, offering viewers intimate access to the political process rarely seen by the public.

Throughout the documentary, the filmmakers also explore the broader political landscape of West Germany during this pivotal period, including the tensions between different political factions and the role of media in shaping public opinion. The presence of cultural figures like Wolf Biermann adds another layer to the narrative, highlighting the intersection of politics and culture in German society.

• Wolf Biermann
• Karl Carstens
• Edmund Stoiber
• Franz Josef Strauß
• Marianne Strauß

• The Candidate at IMDb
• The Candidate at the TCM Movie Database