Though Hollywood is famous around the world, the first large-scale movie studio was founded in Germany in 1912. It’s the Babelsberg Studio outside of Berlin. The first movie theater ever, was the Berlin Wintergarten Theatre. German films have contributed to the artistry and technical advancements of the industry since its beginning. The early years of German film were characterized by distinct periods related to German politics and the war years. Since the 1990s, German directors, producers, film composers and cinematographers have produced acclaimed films, though many are not well known internationally.
The Berlin International Film Festival, the Berlinale, happens to be one of the largest and best attended festival in the world. It’s been held every year since 1978. The Deutscher Filmpreis, the Lolas, have presented awards to German films since 2005, giving cultural awards in the amount of three million euros to the elected winners each year. The Deutsche Filmakademie members vote for the winners of this highest endowed prize in Germany.
Here are five top German films so far in 2017. They come highly recommended on German film forums, and are recognized by international film organizations. They are intriguing films emerging from passionate interest in German society, both historic and modern… certainly riveting viewing:
Der Junge Karl Marx
Set in 1844 Paris, just at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, this film directed by Raoul Peck details the story of Karl Marx, then 26 years old, and his wife Jenny, who are living in exile in France. Marx meets Friedrich Engels, and together, they begin to write about their common world view with the intent to ignite revolution. The film portrays their struggles with the workers’ movement, censorship, intellectual disdain, and their own internal combat for power. It is a decidedly moving and intriguing look into the lives of the two men as they envision a new kind of fellowship among humans.
Axolotl Overkill
Directed by Helene Hegemann, this gritty movie tells the story of Mifti, whose life is filled with drugs, parties and everything she can find to grow up without her mother, and regardless of her detached father. Based on the best-selling book by Helene Hegemann, the film was a 2017 Sundance Film Festival selection.
Alone in Berlin
When Otto and Anna Quangel learn that their only child, a son, has died in battle, the couple decide to resist the Nazi’s. They are working class, but they quickly become a threat to the Gestapo. Their unique methods make them the hunted. Directed by Vincetn Perez, written by Achim bon Borries and starring Emma Thompson, Brendan Gleeson and Daniel Brühl, the film is an Official Selection from the Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin Official Selection.
13 Minutes
This movie starring Christian Friedel, Burghart Klaussner and Katharina Schüttler, is a drama about a failed attempt to kill Hitler. Christian Friedel plays Georg Elser, the carpenter from Swabia who is caught with bomb detonators and site maps. When interrogated by the Gestapo head, Heinrich Müller (played by Johann von Bülow) Elser learns that Hitler left the bomb site just 13 Minutes before the bomb exploded. It’s a tense and gripping story set in 1939, and unravels a fascinating tale about the beginning of World War II. Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel, it’s based on a true story about an extraordinary hero.
Toni Erdmann
This film directed and written by Maren Ade has been a hit since it was released in 2016. It won the Film Award in Gold for the 2017 German Film Awards, and swept the other top award categories. When aired in Cannes earlier this year, the audiences couldn’t stop laughing. It’s a comedy about the relationship between a daughter and her father which is tender, unusual, and certainly hilarious. The film deals with common concerns, such as women defining their roles in corporate culture, today’s workplace and its tendency to alienate workers, the communication gaps between adult children and their parents, and the difficulty of balancing family time and work time. What makes the film work so well is that these themes are dealt with in completely unique ways. Audiences have been engaged with the characters and identify with their concerns; yet laughing out loud. It’s a wonderful film.
Some extra must-watch movies released in 2016, with 2017 German Film Awards wins include:
- Toni Erdmann-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, Best Direction, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Outstanding Feature Film
- Wild-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Outstanding Bronze Feature Film
- 24 Weeks– Outstanding Silver Feature Film
- Fog in August-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
- Paula– Best Production Design
- Auf Augenh̦heРOutstanding Children or Youth Film
- Welcome to Germany– Audience Award for the highest grossing film of 2016.
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