Since the beginning of the 2000s, films that were produced in Germany got relatively more awards than any other foreign language movie.
So it is worthwhile to check a few remarkable German films. Watching German movies will also be a good start to learning the language and understanding the common native phrases and expressions. In this article, we have prepared a list of German films that anyone can find something to their taste. So, without further ado, let us dive deeper into the topic and find out some of the most amazing German movies that have been produced so far.
Der Untergang, 2004
The Downfall is an Oscar-nominated film, which is not only popular in Germany but also known abroad. The main plot of the film Der Untergang took place in 1942, primarily about Adolf Hitler’s secretary and the whole picture of this special era. As many film experts and historians claim, the cast is perfectly chosen. The actor who recreates Hitler flawlessly plays and forces this character. The film was popular primarily with the speech of the main character. It was popular on YouTube as many users dubbed their speeches into other languages, and some created parody videos.
Kreuzweg, 2014
Another sensational movie that Germans delivered to their audience is called Station of The Cross. This drama movie has also become popular outside Germany. The plot is about a young lady who is very devoted to her religion — Catholicism. The character is fourteen years old, and she decides to go through the fourteen stations of the cross to become a saint and have a place in heaven. Throughout the entire movie, the viewers will be attached to the plot.
Gegen die Wand, 1994
This outstanding German movie was released in 1994. It is about a drug addict and alcoholic character who has Turkish origins. The journey of his life changes to this route after his wife’s death, and he decides to attempt suicide by driving his car into a wall. Luckily, he survived the accident and is being taken to a mental hospital where he meets a woman who had a similar life journey. The entire movie takes a lot of interesting twists and turns. That is why many people love the film and watch it over and over.
Die Fälscher, 2007
Another Academy Award-winning movie is called Hitler’s Atonement. The film plot is about Nazi operations. The plot revolves around the character who needs to participate in the action to create a fake currency. The movie is built on the memory of the Jewish forger who commanded the operation.
Goodbye Lenin, 2003
Given the periods 1949-1990 and Lenin, you might think it’s not interesting or fun, but this film is surprisingly very catchy. The storyline of this movie twists around a character named Alex from East Berlin. Throughout the film, his goal is not to tell his sick mother about the ongoing political situation. And since capitalism took root in the countryside, the characters in the film have been working on regret for East Germany. This film is a tragicomedy with very interesting and emotional scenes.
Das experiment, 2001
Another fantastic and must-see German film is Das Experiment. The primary idea of the experimentation is to have two groups. One plays a prisoner, and the other plays a prison officer. The storyline of this movie is all about experimentation and how participants get out of control when playing. This movie shows how easy it is to abandon and sacrifice your title and authority. The experiments were only intended to show simulations, but the movie shows that everything can be changed in just a few minutes.
Das Leben der Anderen, 2006
And last but not least, another very popular German film that was released in 2006. The storyline of The lives of Others is built on the years in the 80s when the secret officers operated in East Germany. The character named Gerd is tasked with checking on less comfortable dramaturge. This film has an incredible plot twist. And it is one of the reasons why it is a favorite movie of many people. Many film critics consider this film to be the most popular and successful film about East Berlin and this particular period.
The bottom line
These are only just a few German films that anyone who is interested in German cinema can watch. Even though Germany does not have a huge film production, many directors and actors have managed to work on many masterpieces that have various awards. These films are the best way to get acquainted with the most remarkable German cinemas, find out about the history of the country, and learn the language. So if you know German and want to watch some of the most amazing and outstanding German movies, those in the list above are the best way to start. And even if you don’t know German, watching movies with English subtitles is always an option.