The Germans (and also the Austrians) practically invented Christmas as we know it, and they are quite devoted to their customs surrounding this holiday, known in German as "Weihnachten". Watch this short video to get a sense of a German Weihnachtsmarkt or Christmas Market, which are held all over Germany at this time of year.
Click here if you'd like to read more about German Christmas customs. Frohes Fest!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
German Films on Netflix: Some Recommendations
Here are a few must-see German films available via streaming and/or on DVD from Netflix. They are in no particular order of importance, but you will not forget these movies!
As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me (So weit die Füße tragen) (2003)
After escaping from a Siberian labor camp in the wake of World War II,
German soldier Clemens Forell (Bernhard Bettermann) makes his way
toward his wife and children, traveling more than 8,000 miles over the
course of three long years to reach his final destination. Hardy
Martins directs this critically acclaimed adaptation of the
best-selling book by Josef Martin Bauer, a true story of survival and
courage.
Das Boot (1981)
Nominated for six Oscars, this edge-of-your-seat dramatic triumph
follows the trials of a German U-boat crew during World War II. Upon
its restored re-release in 1997, an hour was added to the original
film, which further augmented its impact.
Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht (1979)
This German-language 1979 retelling of Bram Stoker's Dracula follows the bloodthirsty, undead count (menacingly played by the late, great Klaus Kinski) as he takes over the German village of Virna and then tries to spread his bloodsucking ways throughout the world. All that stands in his path is the lovely, selfless Lucy Harker (Isabelle Adjani). Iconoclastic German director Werner Herzog blends dreamlike imagery and a languid pace to give the film an ethereal milieu.
Run Lola Run (Lola Rennt) (1998)
A thrilling post-MTV roller-coaster ride, Run Lola Run is the
internationally acclaimed sensation about two lovers who have only
minutes to change the course of their lives -- and time is running out.
Lola (Franka Potente) just received a frantic phone call from her
boyfriend, Manni (Moritz Bleibtreu), who lost a small fortune belonging
to his mobster boss. If Lola doesn't replace the money in 20 minutes,
Manni will suffer the consequences.
Good Bye, Lenin! (2003)
Alex's (Daniel Brühl) mother (Katrin Sass) falls into a coma just as
the Berlin Wall is about to come down. But when she wakes up eight
months later, her heart is too weak to withstand shock -- so Alex goes
to great lengths to keep the truth about her country's reform a secret.
Wolfgang Becker directs this widely praised, Golden Globe-nominated
comedy set in East Germany in 1989 that played in festivals around the
world.
As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me (So weit die Füße tragen) (2003)
After escaping from a Siberian labor camp in the wake of World War II,
German soldier Clemens Forell (Bernhard Bettermann) makes his way
toward his wife and children, traveling more than 8,000 miles over the
course of three long years to reach his final destination. Hardy
Martins directs this critically acclaimed adaptation of the
best-selling book by Josef Martin Bauer, a true story of survival and
courage.Das Boot (1981)
Nominated for six Oscars, this edge-of-your-seat dramatic triumph
follows the trials of a German U-boat crew during World War II. Upon
its restored re-release in 1997, an hour was added to the original
film, which further augmented its impact.Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht (1979)
This German-language 1979 retelling of Bram Stoker's Dracula follows the bloodthirsty, undead count (menacingly played by the late, great Klaus Kinski) as he takes over the German village of Virna and then tries to spread his bloodsucking ways throughout the world. All that stands in his path is the lovely, selfless Lucy Harker (Isabelle Adjani). Iconoclastic German director Werner Herzog blends dreamlike imagery and a languid pace to give the film an ethereal milieu.
Run Lola Run (Lola Rennt) (1998)
A thrilling post-MTV roller-coaster ride, Run Lola Run is the
internationally acclaimed sensation about two lovers who have only
minutes to change the course of their lives -- and time is running out.
Lola (Franka Potente) just received a frantic phone call from her
boyfriend, Manni (Moritz Bleibtreu), who lost a small fortune belonging
to his mobster boss. If Lola doesn't replace the money in 20 minutes,
Manni will suffer the consequences.Good Bye, Lenin! (2003)
Alex's (Daniel Brühl) mother (Katrin Sass) falls into a coma just as
the Berlin Wall is about to come down. But when she wakes up eight
months later, her heart is too weak to withstand shock -- so Alex goes
to great lengths to keep the truth about her country's reform a secret.
Wolfgang Becker directs this widely praised, Golden Globe-nominated
comedy set in East Germany in 1989 that played in festivals around the
world.
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