PROJEKT BALLHAUSPLATZ. AUFSTIEG UND FALL DES SEBASTIAN KURZ

Austria 2023 – Director: Kurt Langbein – Original language: German – Subtitles: English – Duration: 101 min.

"Project Ballhausplatz: The Rise and Fall of Sebastian Kurz" by Kurt Langbein offers an incisive examination of the controversial career of one of Austria’s most polarizing politicians. The film critiques Kurz's populist tactics, showcasing how he skillfully used media manipulation and flashy campaigns to create a favorable public image. Through archival footage and expert commentary, it reveals the disturbing reality behind his rise to power and the implications of his political strategies. This documentary serves as a powerful warning about the dangers of modern populism and the manipulation of public perception in politics.

The film Project Ballhausplatz. The Rise and Fall of Sebastian Kurz (german orginal title: Projekt Ballhausplatz. Aufstieg und Fall des Sebastian Kurz) by Kurt Langbein provides an in-depth look at the career of Sebastian Kurz, one of Austria’s most controversial politicians.

At the outset, the film touches on the public perception of Kurz through a televised confrontation, a scene whose significance becomes clearer later in the film.

Old archival footage from his initial election campaign highlights central elements of his political approach. Symbols like the "Geilmobil" (hotness-ride) and slogans such as "black is sexy" are humorously emphasized, referring to the party's official color. This humorous portrayal illustrates the populist tactics Kurz used to position himself as a media-savvy politician. His self-presentation as a young, inexperienced politician reinforces the image of a lightweight figure who should not be taken seriously, revealing the discrepancy between his self-image and reality.

As the film progresses, it shows how carefully Kurz curated his media image. While he does not openly admit the populist nature of his campaigns, experts show that every aspect of his strategy was carefully thought out and meticulously planned. His role as minister of foreign affairs underscores how he used populist methods to gain support from right-wing political circles. His stance on immigration, in particular, is portrayed as calculated, drawing inspiration from figures like Orbán, Trump, and Putin. It quickly becomes apparent that Kurz's approach is driven purely by a hunger for power, with no genuine political ideology. His views are based on a systematic disregard for human rights, right in the heart of Europe. His attitude toward Hungary’s “push-backs,” carried out by de-individualized, masked police at the country’s borders—blatantly violating EU laws and fundamental human rights—is met with indifference, if not outright approval, by Kurz. In this way, Kurz successfully appeals to Austria’s far-right political scene, the ideal base for maximizing his political power.

A key aspect of the film is the media's manipulation and the use of populist PR strategies. Kurz exhibits a high degree of media savvy, which he actively reinforces through intimidation and pressure on media companies. This allows him to maintain a favorable public image. The skilled use of financial resources and his adoption of American campaign strategies introduced a new dimension to Austrian political campaigning. The film highlights how multimedia-driven, engaging campaigns were crucial in directly engaging and mobilizing the public. This new approach to campaigning opened up new opportunities for populist strategies. The campaigns relied on simple, easily digestible media: image films that are accessible to the general public and offer seemingly simple solutions to complex problems.

As chancellor, Kurz orchestrated shallow, attention-grabbing stunts, such as the closing of mosques in Vienna, which garnered short-term PR success and boosted his popularity, leading to electoral victories. Fortunately, the majority of these stunts lacked legal backing and remained empty threats. The analysis of his internal party takeover is portrayed as strategic and thoroughly manipulative, exploiting voters' uncertainties. His empty promises gave voters hope, while the reality often painted a different picture. A system of apparent professionalism, initial underestimation, a high budget with strong lobby connections, and plain lies that worked effectively, especially during political crises. The “young leader” dictated the course. Even his idols—Putin, Trump, and Orbán—were seemingly rebuked by Kurz in the media. One intriguing scene shows Kurz being prayed for in a church, highlighting that Kurz’s role extends beyond mere politics. Without his persona, his concept wouldn’t work. It almost leads to a cult-like following, reminiscent of dystopias like “Homelander” from Prime Video's "The Boys".

Allegations of abuse of office and tax evasion grew louder. The film portrays Kurz's People's Party as anything but “close to the people.” This is demonstrated by contrasting comments, interviews, and B-roll footage of working-class individuals from complex sectors, such as the care industry, with the simultaneous internal party happenings.

Visually, the recurring use of factories as transition shots is noteworthy, symbolizing the machinery behind Kurz’s campaign. B-roll footage that initially seems unrelated to the narrative takes on deeper meaning upon closer examination, reflecting the dynamics behind Kurz's campaign. One example is the continuous printing presses of a media company, symbolizing the flawless execution of Kurz’s plan. A metaphorical abstraction of the film’s subject is created through this B-roll layer. Particularly impressive is the cinematic dismantling of the “Geilmobil” from his initial campaign, with which it all began. Under theatrical lighting, harsh shadows create a monochrome image that stands out from the film’s otherwise classic aesthetic. Symbolically, this can be interpreted as representing his resignation, bringing thematic closure to the story.

The sound design guides the film’s pacing. It contains emotional nuances, and through an artful use of tone, the audience is led to understand when sarcasm or seriousness is intended, directing the viewers' emotional responses. The use of classical, single notes without any recognizable melody creates an atmosphere of uncertainty, emotionally anchoring the viewer to the narrative. This effectively links humorous and serious moments.

Overall, the film leaves a lasting impression as a powerful warning. Sebastian Kurz is depicted as an exceptionally media-savvy, but equally manipulative politician, whose rise was made possible by a combination of professional PR and populist tactics. Viewers are left asking themselves, “How can this still happen today?” The film encourages reflection on political populism in modern media and how a more critical engagement can be achieved in the future.

By doing so, the film not only looks back at the past but also raises an unsettling question about how populist strategies are once again flourishing in today's political landscape. The methods Kurz employed can be seen in other political movements throughout Europe and the world, prompting the question: how can we protect ourselves from the repetition of these tactics?