Many of my favorite films come from Germany. From the Expressionist Period with "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" and "Metropolis" to the works of Fassbinder with "Lili Marlene" and "Veronika Voss", I have loved the works of their filmmakers. It would only make sense that I would try to add them to the Challenge.
To begin, here is the list of those films already viewed:
Ghosts Before Breakfast (1928)
Zwei Sterben (2008, animated)
My Happy End (2007, animated)
Flamingo Pride (2011, animated)
Selfie from Hell (2015)
Demon Dawn (2016)
Cops & Robbers (2019, animated)
Of course, I looked into the silent era to find few short films by the major stars and directors of the time. Only Ernst Lubitsch had some shorts, which were not accessible. It seems that where other country's directors were making shorts, Germany was making features. So, on to modern times.
I started with several animated shorts:
Child (2016), about the need for adding wood to a fire defining the life of a person.
In the Distance (2015), a war is going on in the background, somewhere. A man living atop a building defends his life.
Wrapped (2014), mankind is gone and the plants take over.
The Risk Not Taken (2011), a sci-fi story taking place on another planet. I'm still not sure what happened here.
"Wind"
Wind (2013), life in a world that lives in a gale. This is very funny.
Red Rabbit (2007), a story about the secrets we keep that keep us apart.
After that, I found some live action shorts that were regarded enough to be nominated and/or to win the Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film.
"Black Rider"
Black Rider (1993), a story of bigotry and appropriate revenge. Winner of the 1994 Oscar.
Kleingeld (Small Change) (1999), not to be confused with Francois Truffaut's classic about children. In this case, it examines the relationship between a businessman and the homeless man who begs near his office. Nominated for the 2000 Oscar.
Toyland (2007), a moment in time in Germany, during 1942. The story of two boys who do everything together. One is Jewish. He and his family are taken away to "Toyland", as the mother tells her son. Winner of the 2009 Oscar.
These films really need to be seen.
Two Filmmakers presented themselves.
Till Nowak
If you look up Herr Nowak's page on IMDb, there is a long body of work. Mostly, he could be found in the Art Department in such films like "Guardians of the Galaxy 2 & 3", "Thor: Ragnorok", "Black Panther", "Captain Marvel" and "The Lion King". He also directed three short films, all of which are on line.
Delivery (2005), a box is delivered to a man living alone that changes the world. Size really does matter. CGI.
"The Centrifuge Brain Project"
The Centrifuge Brain Project (2012), can intelligence in people be advanced merely by redesigning amusement park rides?
Dissonance (2015), a pianist walks between reality and the world in his mind. A seamless blend of CGI and real action.
All three of these films are a great view. The Brain Project makes you wish those rides were real.
Werner Herzog
How could I talk about German Cinema without visiting Herr Herzog? One of the most interesting and unique talents in film making, Herzog had several short films, three of which were accessible.
Herakles (1962). Jumping between a bodybuilder and real life, we are asked if this man could perform the 12 Labors of Hercules, shown in modern day terms. This is Herzog's first film.
Precautions Against Fanatics (1969). Set at a race track, we meet the men who protect the horses from Fanatics, or do we?
Nobody Wants to Play with Me (1976). Martin is reviled by his classmates, for reasons that the other children explain, but may not fully understand.
At some point, during the challenge, "Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe" will be watched.
A big Thank You to shortoftheweek.com, filmsshort.com, YouTube, and Vimeo, without whose caring for film, none of this would be possible. And, of course, Thanks to IMDb, for direction and information.
Watched so far: 72
Films to go : 428
Next week, I get to play among the cartoons again, in celebration of the Annie Awards, which are held on 25 Jan 2020.
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