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Die wilden Kerle 4

This is the fourth film of a series of six. The post for the first film can be found Here. Unfortunately I haven’t gotten my hands on the rest of the films yet – keep… Die wilden Kerle 4

Heil

This 2015 comedy is satire, showing an African-German who loses his memory and begins being used by Neo-Nazis. Director Dietrich Brüggemann has also directed YouTube videos on the topic of xenophobia and homophobia, which he… Heil

Judgement at Nuremberg

This 1961 U.S. film covers the trials of the war crimes of WWII. This film is originally in English. The German dubbing is – shall we say tolerable, especially given the release year. Featuring Spencer… Judgement at Nuremberg

Der Untergang

This 2004 film starring Bruno Ganz shows the final days of Hitler as reported by his last secretary. It is important to remember the 1955 film, Der letzte Akt, which also used Traudl Junge as… Der Untergang

Free Rainer

This 2007 film with Moritz Bleibtreu centers around a TV manager who is frustrated due to the bad shows he is forced to show. We see some interesting dreams this causes him to have as… Free Rainer

Berlin ‘48

This documentary shows Germany in the post-war era, especially focusing on the Berlin Airlift. This particular documentary was originally in English and the titles and other written information are not translated into German. I’m writing… Berlin ‘48

Good Bye Lenin!

This 2003 film with Daniel Brühl sees the differences between East and West Germany through a different lens than most films. The premise of this one is a fragile mother who falls into a coma… Good Bye Lenin!

Linie 1

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This musical is very Berlin! It was released in 1988 and does a great job showing the different pros and cons of living in the free side of the city, as well as the judgement… Linie 1

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

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

Europa Europa

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Released in 1990, this film is a story of WWII, based on the book of the same title, which is a true story. Solomon Perel plays himself in the present day pieces. It’s the story… Europa Europa

Der Fall Gleiwitz

This 1961 film is in black and white and shows Germany at the beginning of WWII, as Germany was justifying the invasion of Poland. This film is from East Germany. Given the release year, this… Der Fall Gleiwitz

Friendship!

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This 2010 film takes place shortly after reunification, with a short introduction in the DDR past.  We follow two young men from East Germany who decide to fly to America with their new-found freedom.  They… Friendship!

Der blinde Fleck

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This 2013 film is a true story of a journalist who investigated the terror attack at Oktoberfest, September 1980.  With that, the knowledge that we are viewing a murder investigation.  Most of the deaths were… Der blinde Fleck

Der Nanny

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Starring Matthias Schweighöfer (who also served as co-director), this 2015 film is a comedy featuring humour reminiscent of the original Home Alone movie. Matthias Schweighöfer is a favourite actor of many of my current students.… Der Nanny

Soul Kitchen

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Released in 2009, Soul Kitchen is a drama-comedy featuring Moritz Bleibtreu.  It is also one of the movies Monica Bleibtreu (his mother) was in that was released after her death. Soul Kitchen has many ties… Soul Kitchen

Die Brücke

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This film was originally released in 1959 and was nominated for Golden Globes and Oscars in 1960. The year: 1945.  The final days of the war, and only the youth are left to fight.  The… Die Brücke

Blueprint

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This 2003 film featuring Franka Potente as two main characters, Iris and Siri, centers around the ethical questions of human cloning. With that, it is an intriguing option for an AP level or AP prep… Blueprint

Die Welle

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This 2008 film is a thriller based in the classroom.  A teacher, who himself is an anarchist, decides to create a social experiment, mimicking what it is like under a dictatorship.  It’s like a high… Die Welle

Der letzte Akt

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This 1955 film, known in English as The Last Ten Days, begins with a note saying it is about a part of history that must not be allowed to happen again. I recognized the actor… Der letzte Akt

Ludwig II.

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This 2012 film is a story told often and in many forms.  In fact, there appear to be no less than seven versions of this film, dating back to 1922 and new versions continue to… Ludwig II.