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Genre Guide

"New German Cinema" Treasures at SFPL

By:

SFPL_JohnS

San Francisco Public Library

Staff-created list

In the late 1960s young German filmmakers began creating low-budget artistic films whose personal style, visual panache, and social critique dazzled critics around the world. By the 1980s these “New German Cinema” directors had created dozens of truly remarkable films. Check out these DVDs and Blu-rays at SFPL to learn more.

By:

SFPL_JohnS

San Francisco Public Library

15 items

15 items

Wings of desire

Wings of desire

DVD - 2009

Actor Bruno Ganz plays an angel who falls in love with a lonely trapeze artist in this poetic, soulful romance by director Wim Wenders. The film features ...Show more Actor Bruno Ganz plays an angel who falls in love with a lonely trapeze artist in this poetic, soulful romance by director Wim Wenders. The film features beautiful cinematography of West Berlin, a charming subplot with Peter Falk, and a live performance by Nick Cave. Also available as Blu-ray. Show less

Actor Bruno Ganz plays an angel who falls in love with a lonely trapeze artist in this poetic, soulful romance by director Wim Wenders. The film features ...Show more Actor Bruno Ganz plays an angel who falls in love with a lonely trapeze artist in this poetic, soulful romance by director Wim Wenders. The film features beautiful cinematography of West Berlin, a charming subplot with Peter Falk, and a live performance by Nick Cave. Also available as Blu-ray. Show less

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Jeder für sich und Gott gegen alle

Jeder für sich und Gott gegen alle

Every man for himself and God against all

DVD - 2001

Director Werner Herzog’s masterpiece brings to life the true story of Kaspar Hauser, a young man abandoned in Nuremburg in 1828 after years of imprisonmen...Show more Director Werner Herzog’s masterpiece brings to life the true story of Kaspar Hauser, a young man abandoned in Nuremburg in 1828 after years of imprisonment in a cellar. At first unable to walk or speak, Kaspar learns rapidly and soon amazes and confounds his benefactors. Show less

Director Werner Herzog’s masterpiece brings to life the true story of Kaspar Hauser, a young man abandoned in Nuremburg in 1828 after years of imprisonmen...Show more Director Werner Herzog’s masterpiece brings to life the true story of Kaspar Hauser, a young man abandoned in Nuremburg in 1828 after years of imprisonment in a cellar. At first unable to walk or speak, Kaspar learns rapidly and soon amazes and confounds his benefactors. Show less

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Vision

Vision

aus dem Leben der Hildegard von Bingen = from the life of Hildegard von Bingen

DVD - 2010?

Feminist director Margarethe von Trotta here dramatizes the life of Hildegard von Bingen, a famous 12th-century German mystic, theologian, artist, abbess,...Show more Feminist director Margarethe von Trotta here dramatizes the life of Hildegard von Bingen, a famous 12th-century German mystic, theologian, artist, abbess, and composer. Actress Barbara Sukowa stirringly portrays this powerful woman who inspired both intense devotion and controversy among her contemporaries. Show less

Feminist director Margarethe von Trotta here dramatizes the life of Hildegard von Bingen, a famous 12th-century German mystic, theologian, artist, abbess,...Show more Feminist director Margarethe von Trotta here dramatizes the life of Hildegard von Bingen, a famous 12th-century German mystic, theologian, artist, abbess, and composer. Actress Barbara Sukowa stirringly portrays this powerful woman who inspired both intense devotion and controversy among her contemporaries. Show less

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Welt am Draht

Welt am Draht

DVD - 2012

World on a Wire (Welt am Draht), is a stylish science fiction film by director Rainer Werner Fassbinder. The film’s convoluted storyline about virtual rea...Show more World on a Wire (Welt am Draht), is a stylish science fiction film by director Rainer Werner Fassbinder. The film’s convoluted storyline about virtual reality resembles that of The Matrix, but its cinematography, acting, and social critique are more provocative. Show less

World on a Wire (Welt am Draht), is a stylish science fiction film by director Rainer Werner Fassbinder. The film’s convoluted storyline about virtual rea...Show more World on a Wire (Welt am Draht), is a stylish science fiction film by director Rainer Werner Fassbinder. The film’s convoluted storyline about virtual reality resembles that of The Matrix, but its cinematography, acting, and social critique are more provocative. Show less

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Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes

Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes

Aguirre, the wrath of God

DVD - 2000

Klaus Kinski brings demonic intensity to his role as Aguirre, a crazed Spanish conquistador who leads a band of explorers down the Amazon river in search ...Show more Klaus Kinski brings demonic intensity to his role as Aguirre, a crazed Spanish conquistador who leads a band of explorers down the Amazon river in search of gold. Director Herzog’s 1972 film features fantastic jungle photography as well as hypnotic music by the German rock band Popul Vuh. Show less

Klaus Kinski brings demonic intensity to his role as Aguirre, a crazed Spanish conquistador who leads a band of explorers down the Amazon river in search ...Show more Klaus Kinski brings demonic intensity to his role as Aguirre, a crazed Spanish conquistador who leads a band of explorers down the Amazon river in search of gold. Director Herzog’s 1972 film features fantastic jungle photography as well as hypnotic music by the German rock band Popul Vuh. Show less

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The American Friend

The American Friend

DVD - 2016

Bruno Ganz and Dennis Hopper star in this tense, enigmatic thriller about a quiet picture framer who gets sucked into a criminal underworld and fears reve...Show more Bruno Ganz and Dennis Hopper star in this tense, enigmatic thriller about a quiet picture framer who gets sucked into a criminal underworld and fears revealing his predicament to family members or the police. The framer’s agony plays out against a backdrop of moody color cinematography by Robby Muller. Show less

Bruno Ganz and Dennis Hopper star in this tense, enigmatic thriller about a quiet picture framer who gets sucked into a criminal underworld and fears reve...Show more Bruno Ganz and Dennis Hopper star in this tense, enigmatic thriller about a quiet picture framer who gets sucked into a criminal underworld and fears revealing his predicament to family members or the police. The framer’s agony plays out against a backdrop of moody color cinematography by Robby Muller. Show less

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Die Blechtrommel

Die Blechtrommel

The tin drum

Blu-ray Disc - 2013

In director Volker Schlondorff's faithful film version of the famous Gunther Grass novel, a violent and diminutive Oskar Matzerath recounts the story of h...Show more In director Volker Schlondorff's faithful film version of the famous Gunther Grass novel, a violent and diminutive Oskar Matzerath recounts the story of his bizarre adventures in Danzig during World War II. The Tin Drum won the Palme D'Or at Cannes and an Oscar for Best Foreign Film. Show less

In director Volker Schlondorff's faithful film version of the famous Gunther Grass novel, a violent and diminutive Oskar Matzerath recounts the story of h...Show more In director Volker Schlondorff's faithful film version of the famous Gunther Grass novel, a violent and diminutive Oskar Matzerath recounts the story of his bizarre adventures in Danzig during World War II. The Tin Drum won the Palme D'Or at Cannes and an Oscar for Best Foreign Film. Show less

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Angst essen Seele auf

Angst essen Seele auf

Ali: Fear eats the soul

Blu-ray Disc - 2014

Director Fassbinder’s poignant, award-winning drama portrays a romance that develops between an elderly woman and a Moroccan immigrant. Their relationship dismays their friends and also causes problems between themselves. Director Fassbinder’s poignant, award-winning drama portrays a romance that develops between an elderly woman and a Moroccan immigrant. Their relationship dismays their friends and also causes problems between themselves. Show less

Director Fassbinder’s poignant, award-winning drama portrays a romance that develops between an elderly woman and a Moroccan immigrant. Their relationship dismays their friends and also causes problems between themselves. Director Fassbinder’s poignant, award-winning drama portrays a romance that develops between an elderly woman and a Moroccan immigrant. Their relationship dismays their friends and also causes problems between themselves. Show less

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Paris, Texas

Paris, Texas

DVD - 2004

Harry Dean Stanton and Nastassja Kinski star in this heart-breaking drama about an amnesiac drifter in the South Texas desert who slowly and gradually rec...Show more Harry Dean Stanton and Nastassja Kinski star in this heart-breaking drama about an amnesiac drifter in the South Texas desert who slowly and gradually reconnects with his long lost family. This award winning German-French coproduction features stunning photography by Robby Muller and haunting soundtrack music by Ry Cooder. Show less

Harry Dean Stanton and Nastassja Kinski star in this heart-breaking drama about an amnesiac drifter in the South Texas desert who slowly and gradually rec...Show more Harry Dean Stanton and Nastassja Kinski star in this heart-breaking drama about an amnesiac drifter in the South Texas desert who slowly and gradually reconnects with his long lost family. This award winning German-French coproduction features stunning photography by Robby Muller and haunting soundtrack music by Ry Cooder. Show less

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Deutschland bleiche Mutter

Deutschland bleiche Mutter

Germany, pale mother

DVD - 2008

This famous anti-war film by director Helma Sanders-Brahms tells the story of Lena and Hans, a young couple who marry on the eve of World War II, but are ...Show more This famous anti-war film by director Helma Sanders-Brahms tells the story of Lena and Hans, a young couple who marry on the eve of World War II, but are soon separated when Hans is drafted and sent to Poland. Traumatized by the war’s events, both Hans and Lena struggle to understand each other and to raise their young daughter in the chaotic years after Germany’s defeat. Show less

This famous anti-war film by director Helma Sanders-Brahms tells the story of Lena and Hans, a young couple who marry on the eve of World War II, but are ...Show more This famous anti-war film by director Helma Sanders-Brahms tells the story of Lena and Hans, a young couple who marry on the eve of World War II, but are soon separated when Hans is drafted and sent to Poland. Traumatized by the war’s events, both Hans and Lena struggle to understand each other and to raise their young daughter in the chaotic years after Germany’s defeat. Show less

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Die bitteren Tränen der Petra von Kant

Die bitteren Tränen der Petra von Kant

Bitter tears of Petra von Kant

Blu-ray Disc - 2015

Fassbinder’s searing all-female melodrama chronicles a destructive unrequited romance between a rich, domineering fashion designer, Petra, and young aspir...Show more Fassbinder’s searing all-female melodrama chronicles a destructive unrequited romance between a rich, domineering fashion designer, Petra, and young aspiring model. While Petra rants and rages, the camera remains a prisoner of the designer’s gaudy bedroom. Actress Margit Carstensen delivers a bravura performance as Petra. Show less

Fassbinder’s searing all-female melodrama chronicles a destructive unrequited romance between a rich, domineering fashion designer, Petra, and young aspir...Show more Fassbinder’s searing all-female melodrama chronicles a destructive unrequited romance between a rich, domineering fashion designer, Petra, and young aspiring model. While Petra rants and rages, the camera remains a prisoner of the designer’s gaudy bedroom. Actress Margit Carstensen delivers a bravura performance as Petra. Show less

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Artisten in der Zirkuskuppel, ratlos

Artisten in der Zirkuskuppel, ratlos

Artists under the big top, perplexed

DVD - 2008

Renowned author, filmmaker, and philosopher Alexander Kluge created some of the most radical and intellectually demanding films of the New German Cinema m...Show more Renowned author, filmmaker, and philosopher Alexander Kluge created some of the most radical and intellectually demanding films of the New German Cinema movement. Simultaneously Brechtian and dreamlike, Artists under the Big Top, Perplexed collages newsreel footage, quotations from Hegel and Nietzsche, interviews with the aspiring circus artist Leni Peickert, and a utopian uprising led by elephants. Show less

Renowned author, filmmaker, and philosopher Alexander Kluge created some of the most radical and intellectually demanding films of the New German Cinema m...Show more Renowned author, filmmaker, and philosopher Alexander Kluge created some of the most radical and intellectually demanding films of the New German Cinema movement. Simultaneously Brechtian and dreamlike, Artists under the Big Top, Perplexed collages newsreel footage, quotations from Hegel and Nietzsche, interviews with the aspiring circus artist Leni Peickert, and a utopian uprising led by elephants. Show less

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Die Faelschung

Die Faelschung

Circle of deceit

DVD - 2004

Director Volker Schlondorff’s brilliant, harrowing film about the Lebanese Civil War, was shot on location in Beirut in 1980. The film follows a self-abso...Show more Director Volker Schlondorff’s brilliant, harrowing film about the Lebanese Civil War, was shot on location in Beirut in 1980. The film follows a self-absorbed German journalist, played by Bruno Ganz, as he interacts with civilians and belligerents. Before long, the journalist is forced to ponder the ethics of war and own neutrality. Show less

Director Volker Schlondorff’s brilliant, harrowing film about the Lebanese Civil War, was shot on location in Beirut in 1980. The film follows a self-abso...Show more Director Volker Schlondorff’s brilliant, harrowing film about the Lebanese Civil War, was shot on location in Beirut in 1980. The film follows a self-absorbed German journalist, played by Bruno Ganz, as he interacts with civilians and belligerents. Before long, the journalist is forced to ponder the ethics of war and own neutrality. Show less

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Deutschland im Herbst

Deutschland im Herbst

Germany in autumn

DVD - 2010

Directors Fassbinder, Kluge, Schlondorff, and Edgar Reitz all contributed to this documentary-like omnibus film about the anxious state of German society ...Show more Directors Fassbinder, Kluge, Schlondorff, and Edgar Reitz all contributed to this documentary-like omnibus film about the anxious state of German society in 1977, a time when violence by The Red Army Faction and West Germany’s police response were at their height. Fassbinder’s unforgettable opening segment dramatizes the heavy toll that politics can take on personal relationships. Show less

Directors Fassbinder, Kluge, Schlondorff, and Edgar Reitz all contributed to this documentary-like omnibus film about the anxious state of German society ...Show more Directors Fassbinder, Kluge, Schlondorff, and Edgar Reitz all contributed to this documentary-like omnibus film about the anxious state of German society in 1977, a time when violence by The Red Army Faction and West Germany’s police response were at their height. Fassbinder’s unforgettable opening segment dramatizes the heavy toll that politics can take on personal relationships. Show less

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The road trilogy

The road trilogy

Alice in the cities ; Wrong move ; Kings of the road

Blu-ray Disc - 2016

These brilliant early films by Wim Wenders explore both physical and emotional landscapes. In Alice in the Cities a traveling journalist accidentally gain...Show more These brilliant early films by Wim Wenders explore both physical and emotional landscapes. In Alice in the Cities a traveling journalist accidentally gains custody of a young girl and is charged with returning her to her home. Kings of the Road, from 1976, follows a movie projectionist and his taciturn friend as they sojourn through rural Germany and confront their fears of intimacy. Wrong Move is a delightful adaptation of Goethe’s Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship, an archetypal Bildungsroman whose young hero flees his bourgeois family to embark on a journey of self-realization. Show less

These brilliant early films by Wim Wenders explore both physical and emotional landscapes. In Alice in the Cities a traveling journalist accidentally gain...Show more These brilliant early films by Wim Wenders explore both physical and emotional landscapes. In Alice in the Cities a traveling journalist accidentally gains custody of a young girl and is charged with returning her to her home. Kings of the Road, from 1976, follows a movie projectionist and his taciturn friend as they sojourn through rural Germany and confront their fears of intimacy. Wrong Move is a delightful adaptation of Goethe’s Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship, an archetypal Bildungsroman whose young hero flees his bourgeois family to embark on a journey of self-realization. Show less

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