Being a film fan means watching movies from around the world, and there is a selection of classic German films that are definitely a must-see.
Although Hollywood would like us to think otherwise, good cinema is not only made in the United States, in fact, some of the best films in history have come from other parts of the world, such as France, Spain, Korea, and Italy (and Mexico). . , so there is no point in restricting yourself to watching American content only.
Germany began its tradition of good cinema with films such as Nosferatu, which kicked off cinema’s obsession with vampire villains, and has continued with films receiving Oscar, BAFTA, and Cannes Film Festival nominations. He has a unique perspective and style, where the country’s history is generally analyzed, but the present and the future (for example Metropolis, took place in a futuristic society with a prophet announcing the arrival of a savior , which is not what they thought).
German films like Toni Erdmann and The White Ribbon have won over critics, but also those who appreciate good stories and films that hook you in from the get-go, and these are just a few to watch .
10 classic German films you need to see
The white ribbon
The White Ribbon, winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes, is a black-and-white film directed by Michael Haneke and takes place in a small town in Germany, where things begin before the start of World War I. Are. Strange and devastating, leading everyone in town to think that this may be a punishment and that someone must be responsible for all their tragedies, and everyone believes that the local children have something to do with what is happening. There may be a connection and they should do something about it.
Toni erdmann
The film earned an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film. Sandra Hüller stars in this story in which a father, who is fanatical about jokes and doesn’t take anything too seriously, tries to mend his relationship with his workaholic daughter, creating an extraordinary alter ego. does and pretends to be a life coach to get close to her. ,
Paris, Texas
This Wim Wenders film is a German production, believe it or not. Nastassja Kinski and Harry Dean Stanton are the protagonists of this film, which tells the story of a man who reappears after being missing for a few years, reunites with his young son and reunites with his mother. together embarks on a journey of reunion, which isn’t like he’s seen it in years, so the three of them can figure out how to fix their relationship and move on with their lives. The film also won a BAFTA and is a study in loneliness and human relationships.
Four minutes
Directed by Chris Kraus, the film stars Hannah Herzsprung and tells the story of a woman who teaches piano to women in a prison, where she meets a woman who is extremely talented. Soon, the teacher learns that she was a child prodigy, but she went through a series of problematic and humiliating situations that lead to her being arrested for murder, so she decides to help her find her way back. decides, prepares him for a competition where he can showcase his talent.
Use
Based on the famous true case of the Stanford experiment, the film follows 20 men who decide to take part in a social experiment where some will play prisoners and others will play prison guards, where they will have to work for several days to receive compensation. Have to spend Soon, the guards let power go to their head, begin abusing the prisoners, and chaos ensues, putting everyone’s lives in danger.
Goodbye, Lenin!
Daniel Brühl stars in this BAFTA-nominated film. The story takes place in 1990s Germany and follows a man who, after his mother wakes up from a coma, decides to do everything possible to prevent her from discovering that his country is no longer what it is. is not as he remembers and everything has changed since he last saw her, pretending that everything is the same to avoid her going to the hospital again.
The lives of others
The film won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film in 2007. The film was directed by Florian Henkel von Donnersmarck and takes place in the 80s, when a man, who works as a secret agent for the police, gets a mission to keep tabs on several people. , but he becomes obsessed with the stories of the strangers he follows and becomes interested in learning more and more about them, risking his job.
Nowhere in africa
The 20023 Oscar-winning film starring Julian Kohler is directed by Caroline Link. The story focuses on a German-Jewish family who moves to Kenya in the 1930s and must learn to adapt to life on a farm, especially since the outbreak began around the world. War II, returning home to all those left behind seems increasingly impossible.
Run lola run
Franca Potente and Moritz Blitzbreu star in this BAFTA-nominated classic, which tells the story of a woman who searches for a way to get $100,000 after giving birth but has only 20 minutes to do so , otherwise you will have to face the consequences. Lola has to run across town before her time runs out, and her boyfriend has to pull off a heist to get it.
M
This 1931 film is a classic of the classics. It was directed by the great Fritz Lang and is the story of how, when the police find that they do not have the ability to find and arrest a serial killer of children, many of the city’s criminals join forces to try to capture him. become He attacks his next victim,
Honorable Mention:
- boat
- fog in august
- Sophie Scholl: The Final Days
- wings of Desire
- the edge of Heaven
- capture
- vampire
- nosferatu
- Dr. Calgary’s Cabinet
- Berlin Alexanderplatz
