Move over France, there’s a new Art House king in town and that title belongs to Germany

Even if you don’t exactly swoon at subtitles I can guarantee you’ll snort with laughter, fail not to well with tears and find yourself utterly amazed at whose side you take in the following films

If you’re looking for a foreign language film to steal your heart or something a little different for your Christmas list, let it be one of these must see thought provoking German films presented to you by 7films

Thought Provoking German Films | 7

Goodbye Lenin!

Director: Wolfgang Becker
Cast: Daniel Brühl, Katrin Saß, Chulpan Khamatova, Maria Simon, Florian Lukas, Alexander Beyer, Burghart Klaußner, Michael Gwisdek, Christine Schorn, Jürgen Holtz, Jochen Stern, Stefan Walz, Eberhard Kirchberg, Hans-Uwe Bauer, Nico Ledermueller
Year: 2003

http://youtu.be/FEumLZxlQzY

It is 1990 and time to say goodbye to Lenin, goodbye to the Berlin wall and goodbye to the separation of the east and west. Unfortunately for Christiane Kerner, she has been in a coma during the eight months it has taken her beloved East German Nation to fall away. After waking in an incredibly weak state her son Alex and daughter Ariane are informed that any shocking news (such as the disappearance of the East Germany she once knew) may cause another heart attack, this time most certainly fatal

The two embark on a heart-warming attempt to replay the events of re-unification for her through homemade video footage, hiding her from the real world until they feel she is ready. The story is utterly unique, touching and of course hilarious. Trying to pull the wool over someone’s eyes has never been so interesting or so moving to watch as in Goodbye Lenin!

Thought Provoking German Films | 6

The Edukators

Director: Hans Weingartner
Cast: Daniel Brühl, Julia Jentsch, Stipe Erceg, Burghart Klaußner, Peer Martiny, Petra Zieser, Laura Schmidt, Sebastian Butz, Oliver Bröcker, Knut Berger, Hanns Zischler, Claudio Caiolo, Bernhard Bettermann, Sylvia Haider, Claudia Jakobshagen
Year: 2004

Every heart is a revolutionary cell. It’s time to take off your capitalist hat and get edukated. A thrilling story of three activists who believe people’s worth lie in their actions rather than their payslips. Very influential in its socialist ideals, The Edukators makes you whole-heartedly appreciate the things money can’t buy and moreover makes you want to fight for them

The three protagonists set to educate the wealthy on their misguided lifestyle, not by stealing from them but by sneaking into their houses and re-arranging their furniture, in an attempt to show them that their money does not make them invincible. After kidnapping a man who catches them in the act, an inspiring story ensues filled with passion that keeps your eyes glued to the screen. A tale of love lost and gained, of revolution and betrayal makes The Edukators a film you will not forget

Thought Provoking German Films | 5

Nowhere in Africa

Director: Caroline Link
Cast: Juliane Köhler, Merab Ninidze, Sidede Onyulo, Matthias Habich, Lea Kurka, Karoline Eckertz, Gerd Heinz, Hildegard Schmahl, Maritta Horwarth, Regine Zimmermann, Gabrielle Odinis, Bettina Redlich, Julia Leidl, Mechthild Grossmann, Joel Wajsberg
Year: 2001

This is a wonderfully honest account of a Jewish family who leaves Germany just in time to escape the coming war. For protagonist Jettel, however, adjustment to the wild lifestyle she must now adopt in Kenya is all but an escape. Though her daughter accepts the change with open arms and her husband appreciates the sheer luck of their situation compared to those they left behind, Jettel clings to the luxurious life she once knew

Time, however, develops a beautiful connection between Jettel and the land she comes to call her own. The stunning landscape, which is exquisitely captured onscreen, awakens Jettel’s true spirit and strength. The importance of friendship and new found respect of different cultures is what sets Nowhere in Africa apart and makes it a complete joy to watch. Nowhere in Africa succeeds in all accounts of making you feel you too have found a homeland away from home

Thought Provoking German Films | 4

Downfall

Director: Oliver Hirschbiegel
Cast: Bruno Ganz, Alexandra Maria Lara, Corinna Harfouch, Ulrich Matthes, Juliane Köhler, Heino Ferch, Christian Berkel, Matthias Habich, Thomas Kretschmann, Michael Mendl, André Hennicke, Ulrich Noethen, Birgit Minichmayr, Rolf Kanies, Justus von Dohnányi
Year: 2004

So you think you’ve seen it all? Only when you’ve witnessed a child-hugging Adolf Hitler, frail and compassionate, can you begin to consider making that claim. Set in 1945, Downfall tells the story of Adolf Hitler’s last days in his bunker with his most devoted followers. Prepare yourself for a truly thought-provoking account of Hitler’s final actions. The description of these last days is told by Hitler’s last secretary, the young and wide eyed Traudl Junge. Wonderful and disturbing in its execution, Downfall ignores the convention of German guilt, saddled to nearly all WW2 films, opting for the simple telling of what happened open to your own interpretation

A passionate Bruno Ganz - playing Adolf Hitler – leads an incredible cast, whose portrayal of fierce dedication to Hitler’s cause will leave you lost for words. Interlaced with scenes of the real Trundl Junge, Downfall heralds a new trend in German film that is unafraid to address the accounts of German suffering in the war