All right, as some of you are aware, I have been studying in Germany for the past several months. But I'm leaving quite soon! As much as I like Europe, I'm ready to be back in America, doing American things like eating Taco Bell and seeing movies in their original languages. But as a little tribute to my current home, here are some of my favorite German movies. Most of my education on the matter comes from a German Film class I took freshman year, but I have been building up from there, and I'd like to say I've seen quite a few. Lots more I still need to see though!
I have observed that a good portion of German films (especially the more lauded ones) deal directly or indirectly with WWII or the GDR (which was a direct consequence of WWII). It made me a little sad that these topics are so prevalent, as if they can't escape their history, but at the same time I find them to be really interesting themes. Read on for the list.
M (1931)
Absolutely classic noir thriller from Frtiz Lang, detailing the mind of a child killer and the alternative methods utilized by both the police and a group of criminals to catch him. It's just really, really good. I wish I could re-watch it right now. Dang.
Der Himmel über Berlin (Wings of Desire) (1987)
Yeah, I'm kind of a sucker for this movie. It's filmed so beautifully, and words are used so poetically. It gets a little wrapped up in itself by the end, with an extended and meandering monologue from a gymnast, but I can look past that. It is a film made up of many small, wonderful moments. And star Bruno Ganz is excellent (some people might know him from Der Untergang, a movie about Hitler's last days that has a lot of weird dubbed parodies on youtube). One day I'll finally see Paris, Texas, also from Wim Wenders.
Lola Rennt (Run Lola Run) (1998)
Such a fun movie with a pretty badass lady at the forefront. It's very stylized and visually interesting, with a fast-paced plot and nice "what if?" storytelling device. Plus it introduced me to Moritz Bleibtrau, who is a pretty big actor here I believe. From my experience it's the most popular German movie for Americans of my generation, and I can see why. It is a good time.
Sonnenallee (Sun Alley) (1999)
Unfortunately this isn't available in America, but I was able to see a grainy bootleg version with English subtitles a few years ago. I found it in Germany but it has no language options so I can't share it with my friends at home. If you happen to speak German, I highly recommend this interesting look at youth culture in the GDR in the 70's. It's got, like, rock 'n roll and cute girls and stuff.
Das Leben Der Anderen (The Lives of Others) (2006)
More life in the GDR in this amazing debut from Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck. This is a fascinating look into the day-to-day trials of both a secretly subversive playwright and the Stasi spy monitoring his apartment. The American posters make it look kind of kinky, but it is a truly gripping drama of a unique way of life and an important time in Germany's history. Also: pretty depressing.
Honorable Mentions
Mädchen in Uniform (Girls in Uniform) (1931)
Die Mörder Sind Unter Uns (The Murderers Are Among Us) (1946) The first movie made in Germany after WWII.
Good Bye, Lenin! (2003)
Gegen Die Wand (Head-On) (2004)
Die Fälscher (The Counterfeiters) (2007)
What did I miss? I know I still have several classics to see like The Cabinet of Dr Caligari and The Testament of Dr Mabuse, as well as more from Fassbinder, Herzog, Tykwer, and Wenders.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Top Five: German Movies
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Great list! WINGS OF DESIRE has a special place in my heart since it was the movie my fianceé and I saw on our first date.
ReplyDelete(She dug it, which told me she was a keeper!).
The only one I can think of, which actually shook the buhjeezus out of me, was DAS EXPERIMENT. It's rather violent, and somewhat disturbing. Hollywood is currently remaking it, but there's no way it's going to be as good.
( PS - Always wondered about your banner image. Where does that photo come from? )
Ah yes I have yet to see Das Experiment but I've heard it's very good!
ReplyDeleteMy banner comes from the film The Go-Getter, specifically from a scene in which Lou Taylor Pucci's character dreams about having a fake gun fight on a beach with Zooey Deschanel's character. And she is just too adorable! Plus: it's a pretty good movie.
Alex, I haven't seen Sonnenallee but the rest are all strong choices. Definitely try some Herzog, and don't neglect Lang's final go-round with Dr. Mabuse, Die Tausend Augen... I'd also recommend the 1943 Munchausen movie, in glorious Agfacolor and pretty much propaganda-free.
ReplyDeleteoohhh I was going to recommend the Experiment as well, I have the DVD, very disturbing indeed...Tykwer's The Princess and The Warrior is also worth the watch, even if a bit uneven
ReplyDeleteWerner Herzog's many unforgettable films cannot be left off any list of great German movies: Fitzcarraldo, Aguirre, or Nosferatu, for example. Also, other incredible films: Downfall (Der Untergang), which isn't a parody, and Das Boot. You're right about The Lives of Others -- one of the best films I've ever seen!
ReplyDeleteThe original german movie- Mostly Martha (2001) is also a great movie.
ReplyDelete