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 "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. Today, Hannah Arendt evokes renewed interest around the world, especially among young people who find her insights into the nature of evil, totalitarianism, ideologies and perils of refugees more relevant than ever. The film offers an intimate 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.
Go2Films