🎞️International Cinema Unit 7 – German New Cinema: Past and Present

What's German New Cinema?

• Movement in West German cinema that emerged in the late 1960s and lasted until the early 1980s
• Characterized by a departure from conventional filmmaking practices and a focus on social and political issues
• Filmmakers sought to create a new national cinema distinct from the post-war era and Hollywood influences
• Emphasized artistic expression, experimentation, and critical engagement with contemporary German society
• Influenced by the French New Wave, Italian Neorealism, and the New American Cinema
• Supported by the establishment of the Kuratorium Junger Deutscher Film (Young German Film Committee) in 1965
• Coincided with a period of social and political upheaval in West Germany, including student protests and the rise of the New Left

Historical Context

• Emerged in the aftermath of World War II and the division of Germany into East and West
• West Germany experienced rapid economic growth and social change during the 1950s and 1960s (Wirtschaftswunder)
• Filmmakers were critical of the country's failure to confront its Nazi past and the conservatism of the Adenauer era
• Influenced by the student movement and the political activism of the late 1960s
  • Protests against the Vietnam War, the Shah of Iran's visit to West Germany, and the Springer press empire
  • Formation of the extraparliamentary opposition (APO) and the Red Army Faction (RAF)
• Benefited from the establishment of the Kuratorium Junger Deutscher Film and television funding
• Reflected the generational divide and the desire for social and political change

Key Filmmakers and Their Works

• Rainer Werner Fassbinder
  • Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (1974) - explores themes of racism, class, and age differences in a relationship
  • The Marriage of Maria Braun (1979) - examines the post-war reconstruction of Germany through the life of a woman
• Wim Wenders
  • Alice in the Cities (1974) - a road movie that deals with themes of alienation and communication
  • Paris, Texas (1984) - a story of loss, redemption, and the search for identity
• Werner Herzog
  • Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972) - a historical drama about the Spanish conquistador Lope de Aguirre
  • Fitzcarraldo (1982) - an epic tale of a man's obsession with bringing opera to the Amazon jungle
• Volker Schlöndorff
  • The Lost Honor of Katharina Blum (1975) - a critique of media sensationalism and state surveillance
  • The Tin Drum (1979) - an adaptation of Günter Grass's novel, exploring German history through the eyes of a young boy
• Alexander Kluge
  • Yesterday Girl (1966) - considered one of the first films of the New German Cinema movement
  • Artists Under the Big Top: Perplexed (1968) - an experimental film that challenges traditional narrative structures

Themes and Styles

• Emphasis on social and political criticism, often addressing issues such as alienation, consumerism, and the legacy of Germany's past
• Exploration of personal and national identity in the context of post-war Germany
• Experimentation with narrative structures, visual styles, and unconventional storytelling techniques
  • Use of long takes, fragmented narratives, and open endings
  • Incorporation of documentary elements and blurring the lines between fiction and reality
• Influence of other European art cinema movements, such as the French New Wave and Italian Neorealism
• Focus on marginalized characters and outsiders, often portrayed with empathy and complexity
• Use of irony, satire, and allegory to comment on social and political issues
• Engagement with the concept of Vergangenheitsbewältigung (coming to terms with the past) and the legacy of Nazism

Impact on International Cinema

• German New Cinema gained international recognition and critical acclaim at major film festivals
  • Volker Schlöndorff's The Tin Drum won the Palme d'Or at the 1979 Cannes Film Festival
  • Wim Wenders' Paris, Texas won the Palme d'Or at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival
• Influenced filmmakers around the world, particularly in Europe and the United States
  • Inspired the development of other national cinema movements, such as the New Turkish Cinema and the Romanian New Wave
  • Filmmakers like Jim Jarmusch, Quentin Tarantino, and Michael Haneke have cited German New Cinema as an influence
• Contributed to the recognition of German cinema as a significant force in international film culture
• Paved the way for future generations of German filmmakers and the continued success of German cinema on the international stage

Modern Interpretations and Legacy

• German New Cinema is now recognized as a crucial period in the history of German film and a major contribution to world cinema
• The movement's films continue to be studied, analyzed, and celebrated for their artistic, social, and political significance
• Contemporary German filmmakers, such as Christian Petzold, Maren Ade, and Fatih Akin, have built upon the legacy of German New Cinema
  • Petzold's films, like Barbara (2012) and Phoenix (2014), explore themes of identity and Germany's past
  • Ade's Toni Erdmann (2016) combines social criticism with humor and unconventional storytelling
• The themes and concerns addressed by German New Cinema filmmakers remain relevant today, particularly in the context of globalization, migration, and the ongoing process of coming to terms with history
• The movement's emphasis on artistic expression, experimentation, and social engagement continues to inspire and influence filmmakers around the world

Must-Watch Films

• Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (1974, Rainer Werner Fassbinder) - a poignant exploration of racism and love in post-war Germany
• The Lost Honor of Katharina Blum (1975, Volker Schlöndorff) - a powerful critique of media sensationalism and state surveillance
• Kings of the Road (1976, Wim Wenders) - a road movie that captures the sense of alienation and restlessness in 1970s Germany
• The American Friend (1977, Wim Wenders) - a neo-noir thriller that showcases the influence of American genre cinema on German New Cinema
• The Marriage of Maria Braun (1979, Rainer Werner Fassbinder) - an epic tale of a woman's life in post-war Germany, reflecting the country's reconstruction and moral ambiguity
• The Tin Drum (1979, Volker Schlöndorff) - an adaptation of Günter Grass's novel, using magical realism to explore German history and identity
• Berlin Alexanderplatz (1980, Rainer Werner Fassbinder) - a 15-hour television miniseries that adapts Alfred Döblin's modernist novel, showcasing Fassbinder's ambitious storytelling
• Wings of Desire (1987, Wim Wenders) - a poetic meditation on love, longing, and the divided city of Berlin, featuring stunning cinematography

Further Exploration

• Study the works of other notable German New Cinema filmmakers, such as Hans-Jürgen Syberberg, Margarethe von Trotta, and Werner Schroeter
• Explore the influence of German New Cinema on other national cinema movements and contemporary filmmakers around the world
• Investigate the sociopolitical context of 1960s and 1970s West Germany to better understand the themes and concerns addressed by German New Cinema filmmakers
• Analyze the use of visual style, narrative structure, and genre elements in German New Cinema films and how they contribute to the movement's overall aesthetic and philosophical approach
• Examine the role of film festivals, particularly the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), in promoting and celebrating German New Cinema
• Study the reception and critical discourse surrounding German New Cinema films, both in Germany and internationally
• Consider the legacy of German New Cinema in the context of contemporary German cinema and the ongoing debates about national identity, history, and representation in film
• Explore the connections between German New Cinema and other artistic and intellectual movements of the time, such as literature, theater, and visual arts