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Winterkartoffelknödel

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This 2014 film is the second in so far five crime-comedies. It is set in a generic Bavarian village, and as such includes dialect. Potential issues for the educational setting: – There are some swear… Winterkartoffelknödel

Bandits

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This 1997 film with Katja Riemann (not to be confused by the 2001 movie of the same name but featuring Bruce Willis) had been my favorite movie for years.  The rating means I don’t get… Bandits

Metropolis

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Metropolis is a movie way ahead of its time.  One might even say many of the ideas are advanced today.  It is a Sci-fi silent film, released in 1927, focusing on two classes: the lower… Metropolis

Anatomie (1 and 2)

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Anatomie is an awesome thriller dealing with medical school, secret societies, and, well, anatomy.  There is nudity, though the nudity in most scenes it is in a medical view rather than sexual. Franka Potente plays… Anatomie (1 and 2)

Lola rennt

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Lola rennt was originally released in 1998, which means the first time I watched it, it was newly released while I was an exchange student in Germany.  It was among the first German movies I… Lola rennt

Wir sind die neuen

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A film about adults who had been college roommates coming back together because they can’t afford their own places, and others don’t want them. They end up in a house with mostly young students, and… Wir sind die neuen

Bergkristall

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Released in 2004, this film began as a novella by Austrian author Adalbert Stifter in 1845. The story begins in a winter storm during the holidays. We learn the back story of two young adults,… Bergkristall

Allein gegen die Zeit

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This is a film version, released in 2016, of a TV show that ran from 2010-2012. Interestingly, they were able to use much of the same cast. Janina Fautz is the headliner of this film.… Allein gegen die Zeit

Der Löwe ist los

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Technically this is a TV show rather than a movie, but only 5 episodes were done, so the length is about the same. This one is for the younger kids, but pieces may be interesting… Der Löwe ist los

Rosenstraße

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Released in 2003, this film is great for anyone who is interested in the history of World War II. It is the story of Christian women in Germany whose Jewish husbands were detained apart from… Rosenstraße

Das doppelte Lottchen

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This 2017 version of the Erich Kästner classic book is already a German teacher favourite. For those who don’t know the story, it’s a “Parent Trap” story, where identical twins Lotte and Luise meet at… Das doppelte Lottchen

Auschwitz

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This 2011 film, directed by Uwe Boll, shows the horror of the concentration camps, without the “special people” or “saviour” that shows up in most WWII films. He wanted to show what it was really… Auschwitz

Joyeux Noel

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Merry Christmas takes place during World War I.  The movie is done in German, French, and English (Scottish accents), allowing each of the sides to be played by actors from the actual countries. We are… Joyeux Noel

Tom Sawyer

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Released in 2011, this is a German adaptation of the famous Mark Twain novel, so most of you don’t need a plot summary…  I would hope!  Benno Fürmann plays Indianer Joe and Joachim Król is… Tom Sawyer

Lissi und der wilde Kaiser

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This 2007 animated film is an adaptation of skits originally found in Bully Parade years earlier.  It is a parody of Sissi stories for those who understand the popularity of Kaiserin Elisabeth and the stories… Lissi und der wilde Kaiser

Homies

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Known as HipHop Express in the American market, this 2010 film is basically a mixture of Step Up and 8 Mile, but in a PG version. Jimi Blue Ochsenknecht plays the main character, a boy… Homies

Pünktchen und Anton

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This 1999 version of Erich Kästner’s novel centers around a young boy and girl who are best friends with completely different home lives. Anton’s situation (single mother who is sick and unable to work) may… Pünktchen und Anton

Otto’s Eleven

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Released in 2010, this movie is a parody of Ocean’s Eleven, filled with famous German comedians, including Otto Waalkes and Sky du Mont.  This film is enjoyable whether or not you have seen Ocean’s Eleven.… Otto’s Eleven

Sommer

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Another Jimi Blue Ochsenknecht project with his dad playing his dad, this 2008 film follows a military kid who has to move in with his grandmother due to his father’s next post being in Somalia.… Sommer

Go Trabi Go, 1 and 2

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The first film was released in 1991, shortly after the fall of the Wall. The first film explores the cultural differences between East Germans and western areas. Our main characters are taking a trip to… Go Trabi Go, 1 and 2

Der rote Baron

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Released in 2008, this film takes place during World War I, following the famous Baron von Richthofen.  Der rote Baron is filled with modern stars: Til Schweiger, Matthias Schweighöfer, and even Lena Headey (of Game… Der rote Baron