The action in What Would Happen If…? (Was wäre, wenn…?) takes place in Willshagen, an imaginary village that sits in a bulge on the border between East…… Read more “What Would Happen If…?”
Author: Jim Morton
I am a writer and film historian. I have written extensively on unique film genres. My work has appeared in several books and magazines. I currently reside in San Francisco.
Seitensprung
While I normally use the English language title for my heading, I’ve decided to go with the German title on this one. There are a number of…… Read more “Seitensprung”
The Condemned Village
If you look up The Condemned Village (Das verurteilte Dorf) on Wikipedia (either the English or the German version) you’ll find it described as a “propaganda film.”…… Read more “The Condemned Village”
The Man from the Cap Arcona
In 1982, Erwin Geschonneck starred in the East German television movie The Man from the Cap Arcona (Der Mann von der Cap Arcona). In it, Geschonneck plays…… Read more “The Man from the Cap Arcona”
A Girl of 16½
A popular wall poster for the young people who opposed the Vietnam War read: “War is unhealthy for children and other living things.” After World War II,…… Read more “A Girl of 16½”
Liane
At the start of Liane, we see the films namesake applying for a part in a film being shot at the electrical company where she works. Immediately,…… Read more “Liane”
The Teleplays of Christa Kulosa
A popular format on East German TV was the teleplay. These were videotaped on stage in front of a live audience. In America, you’ll see this most…… Read more “The Teleplays of Christa Kulosa”
5+1 Films That Look Back at the GDR
My next article on the East Germany Cinema Blog is going to take at least another week of work, so, in the meantime, here’s a listicle to…… Read more “5+1 Films That Look Back at the GDR”
The Blue Light
As I’ve discussed on this blog before, East Germany had an above-average track record on female equality and films about women’s issues, yet there were only a…… Read more “The Blue Light”
Those East German Barge Films
Living on a boat is not easy. You’re in a constant fight against the elements and there’s no end to the maintenance. Boat owners will tell you…… Read more “Those East German Barge Films”
