German Cinema
The devastation of World War One left Germany's budding film industry, like much of Europe, in tatters. But necessity being the mother of invention, German Expressionism was born. Relying heavily on symbolism and shadow rather than elaborate and costly sets, films like 'The Cabinet of Dr Caligari' are still studied by film students the world over. By the mid-1920s, the industry was getting back on its feet and great directors like Fritz Lang and FW Murnau were making their early masterpieces. However the onset of Nazism and the impending war led many of Germany's artists, including filmmakers, to flee to the U.S. Fritz Lang, Billy Wilder, Douglas Sirk, Karl Freund and many more all continued their careers in America while the German film industry virtually disappeared. It was not unitl the '60s and '70s that new talents emerged. Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Werner Herzog, Viktor Schlondorff and Wim Wenders revitalised German cinema and today international hits such as 'Run Lola Run' and 'Goodbye Lenin!' assure us it is here to stay.
Right: 'Run Lola Run'
The Transformation of the World into Music (1996)
7.1/10
Director: Werner Herzog
This elegant and adroitly executed Werner Herzog documentary captures the annual excitement surrounding the Bayreuth Festival. Celebrating the operati... Read more
The Tunnel (2001)
7.8/10
Director: Roland Suso Richter
Starring: Heino Ferch, Nicolette Krebitz, Sebastian Koch, Alexandra Maria Lara, Claudia Mi...
Based on the incredible true story of a massive underground escape attempt from East to West Berlin. Harry Melchior is a respected German athlete when... Read more
The Wannsee Conference (1984)
7.9/10
Director: Heinz Schirk
Starring: Dietrich Mattausch, Gerd Brockman, Gunter Spoerrie
An acclaimed film that re-enacts the fateful January 1942 meeting of the Nazi party and top German Officials that set in motion 'The Final Solution'.... Read more
The Wave (2008)
7.6/10
Director: Dennis Gansel
Starring: Jurgen Vogel, Frederick Lau, Max Riemelt, Jennifer Ulrich, Christiane Paul, Jaco...
As unenthused as his class at having to teach the evils of facism, popular teacher Rainer Wagner attempts to make things more interesting with a hasti... Read more
The White Masai (2005)
Director: Hermine Huntgeburth
Starring: Nina Hoss, Jacky Ido, Katja Flint, Antonio Prester
A truly incredible love story based on Corinne Hofmann's autobiography about her journey to Kenya and her culture-shock romance with a Masai warrior.... Read more
The White Ribbon (2009)
7.8/10
Director: Michael Haneke
Starring: Ursina Lardi, Ulrich Tukur, Leonie Benesch, Christian Friedel
Michael Haneke ('Funny Games', 'Code Unknown', etc) does not make films with easy answers. 'The White Ribbon' offers a view of a small pre-WWI German... Read more
The Whore (2011)
5.4/10
Director: Hansjorg Thurn
Starring: Thure Riefenstein, Alexandra Neldel
Based on the international best-seller by Iny Lorentz, and set in Konstanz, at a time when the Church is struggling to maintain its moral authority. M... Read more
The Young Karl Marx (aka Der Junge Karl Marx) (2017)
6.6/10
Director: Raoul Peck
Starring: August Diehl, Vicky Krieps
The early years of Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels and Jenny Marx, between Paris, Brussels and London. Read more
Three (2010)
4.6/10
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Devid Striesow, Sebastian Schipper, Sophie Rois
Writer/director Tom Twyker's ("Run Lola Run") bold indie drama follows a Berlin couple preparing to celebrate their 20th anniversary, eager to mark th... Read more
Toni Erdmann (2016)
7.4/10
Director: Maren Ade
Starring: Peter Simonischek, Sandra Huller
Winfried doesn't see much of his working daughter Ines. The suddenly student-less music teacher decides to surprise her with a visit after the death o... Read more