Buddenbrooks
This 2008 film is an adaptation of the Thomas Mann novel by the same name. Wikipedia actually has a good article on this book, even in the English article. It’s a story not unlike Pride and… Buddenbrooks
Kammerflimmern
Released in 2004, this film with Matthias Schweighöfer and Jessica Schwarz is marketed as a drama-romance. Another interesting cast member to take note of is Florian Lukas, who plays Richie. He was also in Good… Kammerflimmern
Der Steppenwolf
This film adaptation of Hermann Hesse’s Steppenwolf was released in 1974. It was originally done in English. Before the movie begins, there is a note stating that this version includes scenes not available in the… Der Steppenwolf
Keinohrhasen / Zweiohrküken
Keinohrhasen (2007) and Zweiohrküken (2009) are one continuous story, so I’ll include them both here. Both are co-written by, directed by, and star Til Schweiger. Zweiohrküken makes more sense if you have seen Keinohrhasen –… Keinohrhasen / Zweiohrküken
Echte Kerle
This 1996 film follows a macho cop who is having problems with his fiancé and ends up living with a gay man named Edgar. He is questioning his sexuality. Random situations and conversations take place… Echte Kerle
Die Weiße Rose
This 1982 film is the same story as the more modern Sophie Scholl – the story of the student resistance group, the White Rose, and specifically Sophie Scholl. This film, while based on the true… Die Weiße Rose
Dresden wie es mal war … zwischen Leid und Glück
This is a documentary film about the city of Dresden. As such, there are no actors. Footage is narrated in German. There is footage from before the destruction of Dresden that occurred during WWII. You… Dresden wie es mal war … zwischen Leid und Glück
In the Presence of Mine Enemies
This 1997 TV Movie takes place in 1942 in the ghetto in Warsaw. German actor Armin Mueller-Stahl joins an international cast (Americans, Canadians, Romanians…) in this US production, which is rated PG-13. This is a… In the Presence of Mine Enemies
Die abhandene Welt
This 2015 film with Katja Riemann is one of Margarethe von Trotta’s masterpieces, combining the past with the hearts of today. Tom Beck plays the small role of Sophie’s (Katja Riemann) significant other. The role… Die abhandene Welt
Die Apothekerin
This 1997 film with German-film-fan favorites Katja Riemann and Jürgen Vogel follows a 30 year old woman looking for love, but has – shall we say “interesting” – tastes for a successful woman. This film… Die Apothekerin
Irre sind männlich
This 2014 film features Fahri Yardim (whom we know from Almanya – Willkommen in Deutschland) as Daniel – a young man with relationship troubles, a mother who is a famous therapist, and a best friend… Irre sind männlich
Mein bester Feind
This 2011 film is a dark comedy war film, starring Moritz Bleibtreu and Georg Friedrich. It wasn’t released in the US until 2013. In this film, a Jewish man switches places with his Nazi best… Mein bester Feind
Such mich nicht
This 2004 film is a thriller about a woman (Anna) who is an assassin who would like to retire. She must complete one last hit before her boss will allow her to leave. Stipe Erceg,… Such mich nicht
Gegen die Wand
Gegen die Wand, released in 2004, is a film that deals with cultural expectations, addictions, and other (bad) coping devices. In other words, right away one I wouldn’t recommend for the classroom, though it might… Gegen die Wand
Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum
This film version of the Heinrich Böll novel, published only a year before the film was released. It is also the directorial debut of Margarethe von Trotta, who later went on to direct Rosenstraße. In… Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum
(T)Raumschiff Surprise
Released in 2004, this Star Trek/Star Wars/ all things Sci-fi spoof is enjoyable for most Sci-fi nerds like myself. The idea for this film started as skits in the comedy show “Bullyparade” in much the… (T)Raumschiff Surprise
Jetzt oder nie – Zeit ist Geld
Jetzt oder nie: Zeit ist Geld, otherwise known to my students as “old ladies robbing banks,” is a drama-comedy released in 2000. There are serious dramatic points – the senior citizens needing money to accomplish… Jetzt oder nie – Zeit ist Geld
Die göttliche Ordnung
This 2017 film deals with the issue of women’s rights, 1971 in a village in Switzerland. We see some comparison throughout the world and in larger cities versus this small town and what it means… Die göttliche Ordnung
Honig im Kopf
Haven’t gotten enough Til Schweiger posts yet? Good, because here’s another. And this one also features his daughter, Emma, and son Valentin (credited here as Florian) plays a bit part as well. In fact, Til… Honig im Kopf
Ebbie’s Bluff
Another one of Til Schweiger’s early films, the beginning of this 1993 film might be interesting for boxing fans. Beyond that, however, we find a man looking for a new direction in life, seeing himself… Ebbie’s Bluff
Lili Marleen
This 1981 film, directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, is a West German production, but several of the actors are speaking other languages and then are dubbed into German, which may be distracting for some viewers.… Lili Marleen
Kings of Kallstadt
This documentary-comedy was released in 2014 and talks about the family histories of Donald Trump and the Heinz Ketchup dynasty, and the modern-day culture of their home town, Kallstadt. We also follow Kallstadters as they… Kings of Kallstadt