Category: Germany
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DER AMERIKANISCHE FREUND aka THE AMERICAN FRIEND
“Der amerikanische Freund” aka “The American Friend” is a 1977 neo-noir crime drama directed by Wim Wenders. It is loosely adapted from Patricia Highsmith’s novels “Ripley’s Game” and “Ripley Under Ground.” The film combines elements of existential drama and suspense, exploring themes of friendship, moral compromise, and the quiet desperation of ordinary lives. The story…
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DIE SPALTE aka MAKING OF A PROSTITUTE (NSFW)
“Die Spalte,” also known as “Making of a Prostitute,” is a film from 1971, written by Gustav Ehmck and Christian Rolf, and directed by Ehmck himself. This film is a notable example of the German New Wave, a movement known for portraying raw and controversial subjects, and “Die Spalte” certainly exemplifies this genre. The film…
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FITZCARRALDO
Werner Herzog’s 1982 film “Fitzcarraldo” tells an epic story of obsession, ambition, and the struggle between man and nature, set in the lush jungles of the Peruvian Amazon at the turn of the 20th century. The narrative follows Brian Sweeney Fitzgerald, known as Fitzcarraldo (played by Klaus Kinski), an Irishman residing in South America who…
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LEGENDARY CAMERAS: THE BRAUN NIZO SUPER 8MM
The story begins with a company based in Munich. Founded in 1925, Niezoldi & Krämer started by manufacturing an amateur 35mm movie camera with a clockwork mechanism. Just a year later, they introduced Europe’s first 16mm camera equipped with a built-in clockwork drive. The name “Nizo” is a combination of the founders’ names: NIezoldi and…
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MARTHA
“Martha” is a 1974 made-for-television film written and directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder. It stars Margit Carstensen as Martha Heyer, Karlheinz Böhm as Helmut Salomon, Gisela Fackeldey as Martha’s mother, and Adrian Hoven as Martha’s father. Rainer Werner Fassbinder was a prominent figure in the New German Cinema, known for his films such as “The…
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ALICE IN THE CITIES
‘Alice in the Cities’ is a poignant 1974 road movie directed by Wim Wenders. It follows a disillusioned German journalist and a young girl as they embark on an unexpected journey across Europe to search for her grandmother. The film is an early entry in Wenders’ exploration of identity, alienation, and the nomadic experience. Philip…
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LEGENDARY CAMERAS: THE ARRIFLEX 35IIC aka ARRI 2C
Being a bit of a camera buff, I thought I’d occasionally profile some of the cameras that have had a significant influence on the film industry. There is no arguing that the Arriflex 35IIC is one of them. I will eventually profile cameras before and after the 2C, which will provide context for why it…
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WARNUNG VOR EINER HEILIGEN HURE aka BEWARE OF A HOLY WHORE
“Beware of a Holy Whore” (Warnung vor einer heiligen Hure) is a 1971 film directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, renowned for its exploration of complex psychological and social dynamics, as well as its subversion of traditional cinematic forms. This avant-garde film, while brimming with Fassbinder’s trademark themes of existential struggle, interpersonal alienation, and self-destruction, offers…
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DIE BLECHTROMMEL aka THE TIN DRUM
‘The Tin Drum’ is a 1979 war drama directed by Volker Schlöndorff and is an adaptation of Günter Grass’s acclaimed 1959 novel. This German film, which won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, is a surreal, darkly satirical exploration of Germany’s descent into Nazism,…
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TRIANGLE OF SADNESS
“Triangle of Sadness” is a satirical dark comedy film directed by Swedish filmmaker Ruben Östlund, released in 2022. The film features a talented cast including Harris Dickinson, Charlbi Dean (who very sadly passed away before the film was publically released), Woody Harrelson, Dolly De Leon, Zlatko Burić, Vicki Berlin, and Henrik Dorsin.The film is divided…
