July 22, 2015 - "The Strange Little Cat" (2014)

The Strange Little Cat, 2014
Director: Ramon Zürcher
Origin: Germany
Language: German
Running time: 72 min

In this quirky drama, three generations of a middle-class clan gather in a Berlin flat during the course of a day. A series of unspectacular moments, as the family cat comes and goes, sheds light on the world of a typical family. (from Netflix.com)

Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film ("Mommy", 4 stars)
Steven says: What is normal, and what will help you feel it? Family tragedies, mental health issues, and everyday life combine in this highly intense film about coping with loss and finding yourself amidst the grief. This film pops with great performances and creative film-making.

September 24, 2014 - "Two Lives" (2012)

Two Lives, 2012
Director: Georg Maas
Origin: Germany | Norway
Languages: German | Norwegian | English | Russian | Danish
Running time: 97 min

As the European communist bloc is collapsing, Katrine's quiet life in Norway is interrupted by questions about her early years in East Germany. With the truth about her past catching up with her, Katrine must try to explain the facts to her family. (from Netflix.com)

U.S. box office: $2,311
Watch the trailer on YouTube.

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Review of last week's film ("The Forgiveness of Blood," 4 stars)
Steve says: Director Joshua Marston tried to be as meticulous as possible in understanding the unwritten laws of Albania, ones that force the males of a family to hide when one of them is targeted for revenge. To outsiders, it is almost baffling. The film's themes focus on contrasts, of young and old, tradition and modern times, law and unwritten law, and more. It is an intriguing film.

April 30, 2014 - "Barbara" (2012)

Barbara, 2012
Director: Christian Petzold
Origin: Germany
Language: German
Running time: 105 min

In 1980 East Germany, Barbara, a doctor, is reassigned to a small rural hospital as punishment for trying to find work in the West. Biding time until her lover can help her defect, Barbara begins to suspect that her new boss knows of her plans. (from Netflix.com)

Winner of the 2012 Silver Bear for Best Director at the Berlin Film Festival.




MPAA rating: Rated PG-13 for some sexual material, thematic elements and smoking
Watch the trailer on YouTube.

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Review of last week's film ("Computer Chess", three stars)
Steven says: Film Comment says this about the film: "a series of touchingly rhapsodic variations on communion and aloneness, desire and repression, control and chaos." That may be true. It is also one strange film that leaves the viewer questioning seemingly random scenes and wondering if the filmmaker was trying to make a deeper, philosophical film. It's a good exploration of what's important to people, and it definitely will lead to interesting discussions.

February 26, 2014 - "Hannah Arendt" (2012)

There is no screening on Wednesday, February 19.


Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Hannah Arendt, 2012
Director: Margarethe von Trotta
Origin: Germany | Luxembourg | France
Languages: German | French | English | Hebrew | Latin
Running time: 113 min

After fleeing Nazi Germany for the United States, a Jewish-German philosopher accepts an assignment from the New Yorker to cover the trial of an infamous war criminal, resulting in an article that ignites controversy all over the world. (from Netflix.com)

U.S. box office: $714,442
Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of the Feb. 12 film (Moscow, Belgium -- stars)
Steven says: Life is messy, and "normal" is something everyone wants but rarely gets. No one knows that more than Matty, the main character of Moscow, Belgium (instead of the Belgian title -- Collision in Belgium -- which is way better). She's been living her life according to a 20-year-old dream and ends up unhappy because of it. The characters and situations are real and complicated, which make for a strong plot and a more convincing story.

December 4, 2013 - "Lore" (2012)

Reminder: No screening on Nov. 27 -- Happy Thanksgiving!

Lore, 2012
Director: Cate Shortland
Origin: Germany
Languages: German | English
Running time: 109 min

After her Nazi parents are imprisoned, Lore leads her younger siblings across a war-torn Germany in 1945. Amid the chaos, she encounters a mysterious refugee named Thomas, who shatters her fragile reality with hatred and desire. (from Netflix.com)

U.S. box office: $968,879
Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film ("Mud", 3 stars)
Steven says: You can't miss the theme of this movie. Love. It's the reason for everything that happens, messy and not so messy. It also provides several perspectives on relationships (of all kinds) where the main character can pick and choose the lessons he'll to take into adulthood. The ultimate lesson? Life and love are messy, but you can't let that stop you from living.

March 21, 2012 - "When We Leave" (2010)

When We Leave, 2010
Director: Feo Aladag
Origin: German
Languages: German | Turkish
Running time: 119 min

Umay, 25, is torn between two cultures when she leaves her abusive husband and takes their young son, Cem, from Istanbul to her family home in Germany. Seeking refuge with her parents, Umay hopes to start anew, but her family disapproves. She finds work in a restaurant and falls in love with a German co-worker, Stipe, who happily welcomes her and Cem into his life, but turmoil erupts when Umay's family decides to return Cem to his father. (from Netflix.com)

U.S. box office: $14,128

Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film, "Lake Tahoe"

Steven said:
You find yourself asking "why?" and "is this it?", and then suddenly it all makes sense. Nothing is concrete, but everything is there to help you experience a day with a troubled teen in what seems to be a desolate landscape. It is a gem of a film, yes, and it is more nuanced then it initially seems.

September 21, 2011 - "Vision" (2009)

Vision: From the Life of Hildegard von Bingen, 2009
Director: Margarethe von Trotta
Origin: Germany | France
Languages: German | Latin
Running time: 110 minutes

Directed by longtime star of independent German cinema Margarethe von Trotta, this reverent biopic chronicles the fascinating story of 12th-century Christian mystic and scientist Hildegard von Bingen (Barbara Sukowa). Despite living in an era when women are proscribed from preaching and interpreting scripture, Hildegard believes that the visions she experiences are a gift from God that she must reveal -- even at the risk of condemnation. (from Netflix.com)

MPAA rating: Not rated

Watch the trailer at IMDB.

May 18, 2011 - "North Face" (2008)

North Face, 2008


Reminder: We move to Forney Hall, B124 for the Summer 2011 season, starting with this film.

Director: Philipp Stölzl
Origin: Germany | Austria | Switzerland
Languages: German | Swiss German
Running time: 126 min

In 1936, young German climbers Toni Kurz (Benno Fürmann) and Andreas Hinterstoisser (Florian Lukas) face off against a rival Austrian duo in an attempt to be the first team to scale the infamous north face of the Eiger in the Swiss Alps. As the men make the treacherous climb, journalist Luise (Johanna Wokalek) -- Toni's childhood love -- covers the biggest story of her career. Philipp Stölzl helms this drama based on a true story. (from Netflix.com)

MPAA rating: Not rated
U.S. box office: $710,993