“Looking for Merkel” is a documentary by Marion Van Renterghem which was released to commemorate Women’s History Month. The primary focus of the documentary is to follow the extraordinary story of Angela Merkel’s road to politics in Germany.

The film begins with viewers learning about Angela Merkel’s childhood in East Germany. Her former teachers describe Angela Merkel as a great thinker and an excellent student, who excelled in the natural sciences and math. Angela Merkel later obtained a doctorate in quantum chemistry in 1986 and worked as a research assistant. It was not until 1989 when she decided to give up research and quantum physics and became fascinated with politics. She worked her way up in politics and later became the Chancellor of Germany in 2005.

As the documentary progresses, there are several interviews with individuals who knew Angela Merkel. Most describe Chancellor Merkel as discrete, which sets her apart from other world leaders.

Others say that she shows “little concern for showmanship or theatrics.” Instead, Merkel chooses to focus on international cooperation, particularly with strengthening transatlantic economic relations. Throughout her political career, both her confidence and popularity grew. She served four terms as Chancellor and was offered a fifth term but declined the offer and chose to retire on December 8, 2021.

This documentary is 60 minutes in length and is a wonderful depiction of Angela Merkel’s exciting political career. Produced in 2021, “Looking for Merkel” is available through the Bellevue University Library’s Kanopy database.

Originally posted in the Freeman/Lozier Library’s quarterly newsletter, More Than Books, V. 25 No. 3, Summer 2022.