Katarina Witt -- Schindler's List

[mkl62]

12-3-2011. She's gettin' her kicks at 46. Happy Birthday, Katarina.

[ramalekshmans]

I hate the guy who is commenting between a genius work.

[stockinettestitch]

I love that she's German, skated to this piece and wore red. I'm crying right now.  Just beautiful.

[vanlaParra]

She is the best and nobody can ever be compared with her!

When I watch her on the ice she makes me fly and her soul toughed me..

[koolaidnhemlock]

Sandra Bezic+Katarina Witt=love

[MollyAnnaD]

Shes so lovely and beautiful when she performs to this wonderful piece

[daebob]

German skating to Schindler's list? that's weird combo

[Wuenschenswert]

oh my god always the same bullshit, when will it stop? what have katharina to do with the second world war? nothing thanks

[WICKEDrocksHL26]

@daebob , i think it was more of a tribute to the victims of Nazi Germany.....

[Kuriboh21]

she is so graceful, and it is mesmerizing to watch :)

[kcmatarweh]

Ich lebte in Germany (East) zwichen die Jahre 1978-1985 und jede Zeit als Katarina Im Fernsehen kamm, hat sie mich immer bezaubert.

I lived in Germany (East)between the years 1978-1985, and each time as Katarina was on television, she always has fascinated me.

[restlessxx86]

Excellent

[CoCoNuTsiopatHic]

I love her so much.

[lilSumSum69]

Love it!!!

[voulm]

the coment irritate3s me

[figurskateana]

SHMUJEW

bist du dumm?

[Mithrilelb]

you don't know anything of germany right?

so shut the fuck up!

[ShapurKing]

Fuck you son of a whore.

[Sixschterminator]

GERMAN ICE STAR HEHE ^^

[yngtxtopbear]

Witt actually came in 2nd during this portion of the compition. She should have been first!

[Birgertanjaandre]

BRAVO!

[fsusailor]

Her performance and the song are both amazing

[restlessxx86]

great! both katarina and the theme!

[jprush]

What an amazing program. So touching and heartfelt.

[zemoraes000]

She's perfect.

[tinbobtina1]

Also, remember the little girl who stood out to Schindler, she wore the red dress, with black and white background in the midst, it brought home to him that 'children' were amongst the many victims of the holocaust.

[tinbobtina1]

If this is the music to make us never forget the holocaust then it is a good thing. It doesnt matter about where it is used as long as the message of 'never forgetting' is here.

[Elisheval]

I find this to be very tasteless, exploiting tragedy for winning a competition... I don't care how "artistic" it seems. Disgusting.

[sormu16]

By original context this piece is associated with death and suffering of certain groups of victims in WW2 and raises strong emotions.

I agree with you that it should probably not be used in a sport contest. I don't agree to your strong wording, though. Instead of 'tasteless, disgusting' I'd say 'risky and controversial'.

We don't mean what this piece is to KW. It _could_ be her way of paying respect to an affected relative, attracting attention to the memory of WW2.

[althaushexe]

It's the theme music from a movie for heaven's sake, not the music they played in Theresienstadt. My aunts died in Auschwitz but I don't find Witt's ice dance distasteful OR disgusting. I think it is beautiful.

[123Vanity321]

the score to the film , was to remind everyone of what had happened , the german pairs team skated to it , its shows elegance and grace , it is one of the most expresive peices of music in the world

[yngtxtopbear]

This was such an amazing and touching performance! She actually was 2nd in this part of the compitition with this program. Yuka and Midori just could not match Kat's story telling, flow, and artistry!

[LadyReginaSmiles]

I think the artistry of this sport has become a lost art.  It's all about the jumps now and the beauty is lost.

[tap585grad706]

I am a Canadian songwriter. I have always dreamed of Katarina Witt skating to my song. It is an original song about taking a long journey and searching for your destiny. Even though I am not famous, my song is a tribute to all those people who have overcome hardships to live their dreams. The song is called, "Where I Belong" by Vince Ravon. It is on youtube. Search for it. It is for you. Best Wishes, Vince Ravon!

[waddleduckie1]

And the other thing is that I do like Katarina Witt a lot even though I am not German and is part Polish. She's beautiful and divine on the ice and I don't think there are other figure skaters quite like the individual she is. I hope I can learn more about her as she occasionally comes back onto the ice. I wonder if she is teaching other figure skaters in Germany?

[waddleduckie1]

The nazis weren't even there before Hitler. I don't think that was the case.

[zemoraes000]

she's absolutely perfect

[CoCoNuTsiopatHic]

She most certainly was. :)

[Lightbulb1956]

I remember this program so well... one of my very favourites over the many years I've watched skating.

Katarina was portraying an adult version of the little girl who was dressed in red - if she had lived to grow up... the only colour in the movie were glimpses of that little girl in red.

There was alot of controversy over Katarina's choice of music... as well as alot of support. It was a beautiful program.

[Karenjade]

I really applaud Katarina for doing her routine to this music!.

Oh, and some good news. In reality, the little girl in red survived!.

[ferency98]

This is the most heartfelt skating I've ever seen from Katarina. I actually cried watching her skate this. Katarina never looked truly happy until she turned professional. It's so nice to see her compete for the sheer joy like this program and at the 1994 Olympics.

[zafirarosa]

The music is the third of the 3 violin solos John Williams wrote for Itzak Perlman - this one is called "Remembrances".

[xedra]

Gorgeous performance!

[paralian]

Pretty. The style of skating has changed since then, and although I do like the way people skate now, this is kind of nice and relaxed and very ballet-like.

[Ebru69]

Courageous decision,

Flawless interpretation,

Don't hate, educate!

[14zerocero]

(Additional information: Every Jew should accept that only a little bit more than 100.000 Jewisch people live in today Germany. Most of Germans don´t know any Jews as private or have biases. They don´t know any Jewish "stereotypes". Most of younger Germans don´t even know what Jews are, before they learn this at School. Everbody who means that "we" are the big murderer, should opening a history book or look at themselves. Maybe we come off best in spite of everything.)

[strippeltwo]

14 you are so wrong. it is about 180.000 nowadays. and i do guided tours with teenagers day by day in a former jewish quarter and in an KZ memorial, and these young people have a lot of bias and know all the stereotypes without knowing jews...

[councillor1968]

Everyone loved Katarina Witt during the 80's and the 90's , and they still love her very much till this day.

[zecrazygerman]

Of course, there is no such thing as forgiveness when it comes to the Holocaust. I phrased it wrong in my post. I suppose it was rather a tribute to the victims and a warning that it should never happen again.

There are not too many Jewish people out there still actively obsessed with the Germans.From my experience it is often the 2nd generation post-Holocaust who´s the least forgiving while the young generation just lives with the fact and tries not to have that influence all their thinking.

[KathaB1990]

thats true.

you know, i also think it would be wrong to forgive the holocaust and those who commited all these crimes. but people need to stop blaming germans who live in germany now for what happened during WWII. i am german and there are so many people, often jewish people, who blame me and my generation. but thats wrong...

[waddleduckie1]

This is NOT about blaming you for what goes on, Katha. Let me tell you that there are still nazis living in Germany, but you can't change that. And lets not connect this figure skater with the issue of racism that is still rampant in Germany. You can still have your German pride and your German figure skater, but I don't want to come in reading about Germany, vs Jewish people when the whole interest is about figure skating.

[Seleuce]

Nazis are everywhere in the world... they've been there BEVORE Hitler, they are still there! Do some reading!

[zecrazygerman]

I don´t know if its actually necessary to respond to someone called FlawlessCock but still. it is pretty obvious that the goal of this programme was not to be ironic and/or condescending towards the Jewish community. On the contrary, it was her way of begging forgiveness. it was obviously not Witt´s fault that Jews got killed by the Nazis and that ordinary Germans just stood by. she certainly chose to do this programme to show the world that the Germans just like her have learnt from this.

[FlawlessCock]

Well since your post clearly indicates that you want my attention I'll give it to you. I have nothing against her being german and I know very well she's not a nazi. She wasn't even around the time it happened, but probably her parents were. There's no such thing as forgiveness for what the germans did, will never be. But we still live on in peace, and that's great. I have nothing agains't german people, simply couldn't care less if they would vanish though.

[canossa82]

To "FlawlessCock": you know that Schindler was german??? Not every german person was a bastard like Hitler ore his SS Armee!!!

[FlawlessCock]

I don't like the idea of a german-born person like her to ironically use the Schindler's List theme for her skating. Otherwise I thought the skating was average. Must say she got some heavy balls for using that theme music.

[CoCoNuTsiopatHic]

She was not using this music to be "ironic".

[FlawlessCock]

That's a big slap to the face to the jewish community if you ask me. But since I haven't found any record of this event being seeing as mockery against the jews I can't answer for sure. And you can give me all the thumbs down you want but I find this song choice to be pathetic.

[ninenmoebius]

how is that a slap in the face. music is music, simple as that

you dont have to see everything in a negative way. FAIL

[Kristiekins2]

do you end all your comments with "give me a thumbs down if you want"?

[FlawlessCock]

If you ask me I think the thumbsystem which Google has incorporated is plain pathetic. But yeah, I do find people giving me thumbs down for defending the jewish culture from mentally disordered posters to be quite irritating.

[canossa82]

You know that Schindler was a German Guy?! Not every german person was a bastard like Hitler and his SS Armee!!!

[FlawlessCock]

I know that very well which makes the whole thing seem abit ironically. However, what did her grandparents, who were also germans, do to stop the nazis? Nothing right? All her family could ever do is step aside, watch it and "feel sorry" but doing that is no different then being part of the murder. You want to give me thumbs down for my objective opinion? fine.

[canossa82]

What I have to say, I say it now in german, then my english is not perfect.

"Wer bist Du das Du Dir anmaßt über ein ganzes Volk zu urteilen? Verstehe mich nicht falsch, ich nehme die Nazis nicht in Schutz und ich verurteile das ganze zu tiefst!!! aber mache nicht den Fehler und stelle ein ganzes Volk mit den Nazis gleich, denn das wäre nicht nur dumm sondern auch der einfachste Weg. Zuviele Aspekte spielen eine Rolle um es sich so einfach zu machen!"

[FlawlessCock]

Nice way of responding. How can I know you didn't insult me in your german language?

[Wienersuse]

What he/ she is saying is:

Who are you to assume to judge an entire nation. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to defende the Nazis and I condemm what they have done. But do not make the mistake of putting all Germans on par with the Nazis. This would not only be dumb but also the most easiest way to choose. There are to many aspects to this topic to meke such simple assumptions.

[tinje88]

that's so silly...

sure. every single german is a murderer no matter if directly or indirectly. O.o

and stop the nazis... people could have been shot every minute if aynone had noticed they were doing anything against the NSDAP or to save Jews...I'm not saying that it's okay to let nazis do what they want but it's human to be in fear of one's own life, isn't it?

what happened in germany could have happened everywhere else in the world...i'm so sick of stupid comments like that.

[RedDucksAreAwesome]

exactly, canossa82

stupid people... not all germans were nazis!

[AgrippinaMinor]

@FlawlessCock Not every German is/was an anti-semite. Did you even watch Schindler's List? Oskar Schindler was a German (and a Nazi) who saved 1,100 jews from extermination. She's obviously paying tribute to him, as well as the film. Moron.

[fairycake21]

@AgrippinaMinor well just to be pedantic - Schindler was actually czechoslovakian. But I agree with your sentiment......

[Ole199104]

It would have been interesting to see what notes she`s got.

[Kaska1983]

It was beatiful dance at the ice. I waould like say to Katarina: Very, very thank u for it. When I was be younger I always was watching at her dance in the olimpic, world champion time. She is like some icon of spory at the ice. I cant believe that this time is gone. I still have big respect for her.

[prescient8]

what a skater, such artistry, grace and athleticism has never been matched by anyone else on the ice. A beautiful woman also.

[Chiquitaquebecesa]

wow

[AndersAAAAA]

The only reason I looked at this sport is her....

[AndersAAAAA]

This is a WOMAN.

[CokeSideOfLife]

for me she represents the girl with the red coat in schindler's list.

[SaxxonThespian]

I thought the little girl had a

pink coat?

[CokeSideOfLife]

hm i thought it was red. but maybe you couldn't see the colour very well because the coat was dirty..

never mind

[tebece]

You´re right, it was red. And it refers to a history of polish girl who became well known polish writer after holocaust - Roma Ligocka. She wrote a book about her experiences with holocaust and named it The Girl in the Red Coat.

[CokeSideOfLife]

really? that's interesting.. thank you!

[shinycoints]

yes i have heard the same story

[marantza]

definitley a red coat

[IamDOVP]

It does to for me... Very beautiful!!

[glorialucia]

the song is lovely... and maybe JUST maybe people she picked this song because it's lovely and filled with emotion. not because she's german... sheesh

[STU676]

unfortunately many germans must bear some responsibility for the slaughtering of millions of jews. certainly many germans of todays generation had ancestors who were members of the nazi party. cant deny that.

[tinje88]

how stupid can one be to make people's ancestors responsible for their faults...

[tinje88]

descendants, not ancestors^^

[ninenmoebius]

exactly!

[SandyY007]

Moron majority of members involved with the Nazi party were not aware of the attrocities being committed against the Jews. Only a handful of officials new what was going on. People were made to think the Jews were being deported to vast countries. So shut up your no better then the Nazis. After the war Russian soldiers brought many Germans to the camps to see what happened to Jews. Many Germans were horrified. Quit your ignorance.

[marioraulfernandez]

Oh for fuck's sake, how naive do you think the germans soldier were.. maybe some soldiers that weren't directly involved the jews,maybe. But if people across the atlantic( the word has even spread tu cuba) to u honestly believe that must germans soldiers didn't have any knowledge of the situation?

[marioraulfernandez]

Oh for fuck's sake, how naive do you think the germans soldier were.. maybe some soldiers that weren't directly involved with the jews,maybe. But if people across the atlantic( the word had even spread to cuba)knew, do u honestly believe that germans soldiers didn't have any knowledge of the situation?

[SandyY007]

Errr try reading better I was imposing on majority of German people. Its true though a lot of regualr SS soldiers had not idea since they were not in the official ranks to order executions or sign papers. I never said the high ranking soldiers. Regular young boys in training, I know, my major is history sweetie cakes. This is actually the subject were reading now.

[SandyY007]

These same Germans who later were captured by the reds were made to look at what the Assholes had done. No need to post twice since it takes a couple of minutes for it to post.

[marioraulfernandez]

4 millions jews exterminated, thousands fleein europe and only a handfull of high ranking officers knew what was going on?? listen i lived in cuba half my life and what i read in books and newspaper here in Puerto Rico and US about Cuba's political situation, health care system and education system is very different from what we had to go through, don't believe everything you see or read...

[SandyY007]

Listen chicklette Im JEWISH! Dont teach me shit about my people and my ancestors! Peace!

[SandyY007]

You must bear that you've killed millions world wide. So shoosh!

[missthanggg1]

shut up announcer

[SandyY007]

lol

[ohwnosrepeht]

Oh the irony! Nvm, good performance

[OfraHaza1957]

Wonderful music!

[Dvincenzo]

She is soooo HOT!

[subzero128]

beautiful

[tudorrose3]

What is this paticular piece of music called? Does anyone know?

[CoCoNuTsiopatHic]

I think its "Remembrances" (sp?) from the "Schindler's List" soundtrack.

[shoefettish1434]

I like the fact that she has a red dress, i think she's depicting the "little girl in the red dress" from the movie, how she puts the emotion into her skating as well.

[sarahwaffle]

i was going to say the same thing before i saw your comment :)

[sbe79]

I don't remember Dick Button commentating this competition... I thought it was Sandra Bezic... where did THIS come from?

[sbe79]

Specifically... the version of "Solo" on this site is from the same competition, yet it's surely not Dick Button commentating, he'd have a LOT more to say. Did ABC pick this up in certain areas of the country and leave other parts to NBC?

[driscollnh]

What a beautiful skater whe is! I'm told that the violinist featured with John Williams' orchestra is Itzhak Perlman. What a wonderful combination! Thanks so much for sharing!

[bakarov]

(*) (*) (*) (*) (*)

[tudorrose3]

This is very beautiful, moving music.

[6Sexybabe6]

kati you are the best!

[celestialnightrider]

I skated to the theme from Schindler's list this season. It's a very moving piece of music

[Beselga]

xateeeeerimo

[tdevil101]

music is sick

[aiys21]

you are sick, not the music.

[glorialucia]

I'm sure tdevil means "sick" in a positive way. sick isnt always negative

[adambachelder]

Guilt is no substitute for doing the right thing.

[punkers23]

Very beautiful. It's too bad she compromised herself and posed for Playboy.

[cman80]

Let's see if we can be adults and keep the comments relevant.

[punkers23]

I feel my comment was relevant. Sorry you disagree.

[tony5682]

Did she?? wow

well, can't blame her....

[littlecoconut]

How is posing for playboy compromising yourself?

[iotep]

In Europe, posing for Playboy does not compromise a persons's dignity at all. A nude is nothing anyone worries here these days.

[Asuraya]

I saw her in 1995 when I was living in Alsace near germany. She came in my city for an exhibition ^^

[aiys21]

amazing!

[spikeyhairazn]

this makes me want to cry and make love at the same time to the most beauty full stranger with red hair and green eyes WTF? lol

[mrnaf]

Very moving performance.

[GPSuper]

That's so nice of her to use this song for her performance as she's a german. She did a great job too.

[haiisha]

What is that supposed to mean that all Germans should feel guilty and accountable for something that happened before they were born. Dumheten!

[chocofreak13]

I agree completely, not even German myself.

[jp3183]

Sorry, I meant "Remembrances". As in plural form.

[jp3183]

The song is "Remembrance" the secondary theme to the movie.

[Evenstar8723]

Was that really nessecary?

[arthur93]

god, katarina is gorgeous!!