37° – Three women against right-wing extremism

Right-wing extremist attitudes are becoming increasingly widespread in Germany. A striking number of women are openly speaking out against this. ‘37°’ follows three of these courageous women. 

What motivates women to publicly oppose a violent scene? How much courage and perseverance does it take to defend values such as tolerance and humanity against the racism of right-wing extremists at countless events and demonstrations?

Doritta has been campaigning in Plauen in the Vogtland region of Saxony since 2014 against the ever-increasing number of members of the ‘Third Way’. She is often threatened for this and has hardly any support from the local population. Nevertheless, she stays there and continues to fight. Bettina Wegner’s song ‘Sind so kleine Hände’ is more relevant than ever for Doritta: ‘We already have too many people without backbone.’ Doritta does not want to move away from her hometown of Plauen, does not want to leave the city to the right-wing extremists. Will she stay, even if right-wing parties are gaining more and more support?

Karen from Güstrow started fighting racism and xenophobia shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall. For a long time, she seemed to be fighting a losing battle. The 54-year-old experienced several attacks on her and her family. She eventually enters politics and continues her work successfully. But then she falls ill with a brain tumour. Since then, she has become somewhat quieter, but not quiet. Karen continues to be politically active in the Güstrow town council and district council, in her small neighbourhood shop and against right-wing extremism.

Nele is the official spokesperson for the ‘Schwerte Alliance against the Right’. Her involvement began in 2015, when the 26-year-old was shocked by the sudden outbreak of xenophobia from people she would never have expected. Since then, she has not minced her words and has been working with the alliance to raise awareness. The years of work seem to have paid off: for example, there are no more Nazi marches in Schwerte. People have become more vigilant and there is great solidarity against right-wing extremism. But does Schwerte no longer have a problem? What does it mean for the young woman to continue working to prevent the spread of right-wing ideas?

The film at ZDF Mediathek