A true entertainer well worth its salt.

Die Drei von der Tankstelle (1930) directed by Wilhelm Thiele

This is not a kind of film which your neighborhood Goethe Institut would like to screen for you.The reason is that in the past it was not at all considered an auteur film and as it was more of a song and dance film which according to cultural authorities would not appeal to serious film viewers.However with the passage of time the official status of this film has changed a lot and fortunately it is currently considered as one of the 100 most influential films
of the rich history of German cinema.The film is a very nice comic tale of three men in love with a rich girl.This may sound trite but in 1930 when it was made there was hardly any current of such type of films.That is the reason why this film is really unique in the annals of German cinema.A great film to cheer you up when you feel complete lost and return home with a woebegone look on your face.

In 1987, Jan Schutte created what Michael Winterbottom is directing these days.

Drachenfutter (1987) directed by Jan Schutte

These days it has become fashionable to make films which in some legitimate,politically correct manner sensationalize the questions related to human dignity,human freedom and human rights. A notable example is that of Miachael Winterbottom. He has made controversial films like A might heart and The road to Guantanamo.These films can be made and will be made as the prevalent times are the times of uncertainty,confusion, chaos and disorder. Now the question is : whom should one consider a better humanist filmmaker ? One who is making films keeping in mind the current trends of world politics or someone who created a little masterpiece without bothering to even battle an eyelid for world events. To my mind it is the latter who will emerge as a clear winner.Ladies and Gentleman the winner in this case is Jan Schutte. In 1987 he created a very subtle unassuming film about illegal immigrants and their hardships in Germany.What is unique about this film is its quasi documentary feel. Watching "Dragon chow" one gets the notion that real life events are happening in front of our eyes in real time. This feeling is sustained by the use of black and white photography which works wonders. Strongly recommended for those DVD collectors who are perpetually hunting rare, hard to find films.

Hard to believe tale of a trapped woman.

Mitten ins Herz (1983) directed by Doris Dorrie

Anna Blume is a supermarket cashier.Her life takes an abrupt turn when she meets Armin Thal -a dentist.He makes her a strange offer of moving into his comfortable house.She accepts as she hopes of finding happiness in his company. Her happiness is short-lived as Thal's gruffness forces her to kill him.Doris Dorrie's astonishing debut "Mitten ins Herz" will always be remembered as a point of reference in judging the intensity of male-female relationships.Loneliness is the film's underlying theme. Anna Blume was always positive that she would captivate Armin Thal. The only common element in Anna Blume and Armin Thal's liaison is the fact that they employ different methods in order to deal with their loneliness.Doris Dorrie never anticipated that loneliness would become the focus of almost all her films.An indifferent spectator might find it hard to fathom how an advanced German woman like Anna Blume accepts Armin Thal's bizarre proposal.Anna Blume was not bothered about money as it can be surmised that she accepted his offer hoping that it would help her get rid of her loneliness.It must have been easy for Doris Dorrie to make Mitten ins Herz as as the film has traces of autobiographical elements in it.The narrative is rather quaint as it is hard to believe that such an event would ever occur in a highly industrialized nation like Germany.One should still watch Mitten ins Herz regardless of its melodramatic stance.

Strange events happening on a single night.

Nachtgestalten (1999) directed by Andreas Dresen

The Pope's visit throws Berlin completely out of gear.He is unaware of profound changes it will bring in the lives of certain individuals. Hanna and Victor-a homeless couple will have a tough time finding a suitable hotel for a night's stay.Patty-a juvenile prostitute will rob Joachen-a naive farmer of his money.Peschke-an inept business executive will grasp the bitter truth that not all immigrants like Angolan Feliz Kolami steal wallets upon their arrival in Germany. Nachtgestalten is an ingenious motion picture belonging to the post reunification German Cinema.Andreas Dresen earned wide critical and commercial success with his film as it came at a moment when German cinema was inundated with numerous inelegant comedies.It is a highly imaginative film in which various droll events happen in rapid succession.Nachtgestalten takes us on a wonderful tour of night spots in Berlin which average tourists would normally shun.Andreas Dresen has candidly shown sordid aspects like dirt,junk,skinheads,racism, prostitution etc.The storyline appears credible as a result of outstanding acting prowess of its characters.Michael Gwisdek is brilliant as Peschke.Nachgestalten skillfully tackles the plight of homeless people.It proves without a shadow of a doubt how difficult it is to be poor in a rich country.

How a young housewife is trapped into submission by her husband.

Martha (1974) directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder

No one can deny the poise,finesse and grace with which Fassbinder has directed some of the most charming women characters. This quality is currently being imbibed by some of the most talented filmmakers like Todd Haynes in USA and François Ozon in France. In this particular melodramatic film,Fassbinder is at his best and there is strong belief in the minds of true cinema admirers that "Martha" would surely rank as one of his best films.Initially the setting in Italy helps the film to build its momentum but it reaches feverish pitch once the events start to unfold in Germany. The two main actors are captivating. Karl Heinz Boehm has given a chilling performance as a bizarre husband. Looking at him no one can make out whether he truly loves his wife or troubling his wife sadistically remains his past time. Margit Cartensen is great too as the wife suffering humiliation at the hands of a man she thought loved him. To my mind, Martha would be of higher interest to all those who are keen on learning more about the depiction of women in new German cinema.

Simply outstanding children's film made by a German and a Turkmen.

Karakum (1994) directed by Arend Agthe and Usman Saparov

What can one say about a children's film which is directed by two directors from two different cultures who specialize exclusively in made for children films ? Watching "Karamkum" directed by German Arend Agthe and Turkmen Usman Saparov one would surely say that this film is a good effort in promoting international harmony,understanding and peace.Karakum is a fun filled joyride which takes its two young teenage protagonists from a remote desert to a distant seashore.The unique lesson that can be learned from this film is that two people need not know a common language to communicate with each other. Communication is an emotional act that can also be done using common wisdom and sign language as shown in this film.Karakum has plenty of suspense which is bound to keep all the viewers glued to the edge of their seats.If you are fed up that your children are not watching good Children's films this is the film for you and your children.Watching this film there is an even likelihood that you might even forget all your silly flicks like Home Alone,The Lion King,South Park,The Simpsons etc.

Bridging the spiritual gap between two capitalist countries : Japan and Germany

Erleuchtung Garantiert (2000) directed by Dorris Dorrie

Doris Dorrie has got the uncanny knack of rendering us speechless with her serious comic sagas which depict mundane human foibles.Erleuchtung Garantiert recounts a few mirthful episodes in the lives of its "crazy about spirituality" protagonists Uwe and Gustav.Uwe has never meditated in his life but still believes that it would help him in lessening his conjugal distress.The problems arise for them as they foolishly spend all their money in Tokyo.Things come to such a pass that they are forced to spend a few restless nights on the streets.Uwe and Gustav seem to have lost themselves completely in a metropolis like Tokyo where everyone is busy chatting on their mobile phones.The path to enlightenment is tricky for them but they happily tolerate all inconveniences in order to find spiritual bliss.They finally reach the Monzen monastery where they comprehend their innate strengths and weaknesses.Uwe overcomes the agony arising out of his failed marriage.Gustav realizes that he was never happy leading the life as a heterosexual male.He grasps that he has always been a homosexual person.Even though Erleuchtung Garantiert has been shot on Digital Video,it still manages to retain its ineffable charm. Erleuchtung Garantiert's biggest positive feature is that it reveals how one should move away from the hustle and bustle of a materialistic society in order to gain inner happiness.

Truly unbelievable work from the great master of German cinema.

Angst essen Seele auf (1974)

directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder

Fassbinder's "Fear eats the soul" talks of the some of the most important elements of human existence:love, respect, companionship and of course indifference too.It is a highly poignant tale of two highly uncommon people coming from culturally diverse backgrounds who fall in love with each other.It is at a later stage that this love culminates in their marriage but not without immense pressure, displeasure,anger and disbelief.This theme is so out of the ordinary that it is really a matter of disbelief that this film was made in West Germany in 1974 at a time when the German nation was inundated with numerous guest workers from Turkey.Fassbinder has also highlighted the plight of Arab people in this film who feel culturally alienated in West Germany due to their ignorance of German customs and traditions.Brigitte Mira,a veteran actress who has been part of Fassbinder family plays the role of Emmi.El Hadi Ben Salem,Fassbinder's lover and partner plays the role of Ali.Ali fear eats the soul is not a melodrama but a plea for cultural diversity which is ever so important in our radically changing world.