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”
Category: Fantasy
Rumpelstiltskin
Kunz (Karl-Heinz Rothin) is a lazy miller who prefers to let his assistant Hans (Reinhard Michalke) do all the milling. When Hans can’t keep up and the…… Read more “Rumpelstiltskin”
Snow White
As discussed elsewhere on this blog, fairytale films were the closest thing to a cash cow the East German film industry had to offer. Beloved by East…… Read more “Snow White”
The Airship
In The Airship (Das Luftschiff), director Rainer Simon looks at the creative urge, how it drives a person forward, and how it can cloud their vision, leaving…… Read more “The Airship”
Pinocchio
While DEFA was far better at interpreting famous fairytales on film than Hollywood ever was, the fact is, many of the classics are so grotesque that any…… Read more “Pinocchio”
Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella
Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella (Drei Haselnüsse für Aschenbrödel) was a co-production between East Germany and Czechoslovakia. DEFA made twelve films in co-production with the ČSSR’s Barrandov Film…… Read more “Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella”
How to Marry King
Right from the opening credits, How to Marry a King (Wie heiratet man einen König?) lets us know that this is not going to be like any…… Read more “How to Marry King”
When You’re Older, Dear Adam
Egon Günther’s 1965 comedy When You’re Older, Dear Adam (Wenn du groß bist, lieber Adam) is a weird movie, made weirder still by the times in which…… Read more “When You’re Older, Dear Adam”
Godfather Death
[Note: I received a request to do a review of this film from a reader. If there is any East German film out there that you think…… Read more “Godfather Death”
The Tinderbox
Of all the films made in East Germany, the Märchenfilme (fairytale films) fared the best when it came to western distribution. Thanks to kid film friendly companies…… Read more “The Tinderbox”
