GOETHE FILMS: Before the Fall

25 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall. One generation in a unified Germany. Our fall 2014 series travels to the 1980s, just before Europe and the world would change. Three master auteurs look at Germany “Before the Fall”.

Wenders (born in West Germany in 1945) immortalized West Berlin in his mid-80s masterpiece "Wings of Desire". Petzold (born in West Germany in 1960) locates "Barbara" in the East German province in 1980. Dresen (born in East Germany in 1963) takes us right into the peaceful revolution of 1989 in “Silent Country”.

Oct 2, 6.30pm: “Barbara” by Christian Petzold (2012)

Harking back to the recent TIFF world premiere of “Phoenix”, where director Christian Petzold reunited top actors Nina Hoss and Ronald Zehrfeld, we present his biggest success to date, “Barbara”, Germany’s 2013 Oscar entry.

“A simmering, impeccably crafted Cold War thriller, starring the gifted Nina Hoss.” – Rotten Tomatoes

Preceded by an introduction by Norm Wilner, NOW Magazine’s film critic.

Website: http://www.goethe.de/ins/ca/tor/ver/en12869753v.htm

Oct 7, 6.30pm: “Wings of Desire” by Wim Wenders (1987)

Recent Cannes and Berlinale Honorary Golden Bear winner Wenders filmed the sky over war-scarred Berlin in the late 80s in powerful pictures. The story of the angel (“The Downfall”’s Bruno Ganz) who becomes human represents shifts in historical perspective and hope for the future.

“Wim Wenders returns to Germany with a sublimely beautiful, deeply romantic film for our times.” – Variety

Website: http://www.goethe.de/ins/ca/tor/ver/en12706561v.htm

Oct 9, 6.30pm: “Silent Country” by Andreas Dresen (1992)

“Silent Country” took the Berlinale 1993 by storm and received the German Critics’ Award. The film was Cannes-honoured Andreas Dresen’s debut feature film and reflects his own experiences during the last days of the GDR. In the film a young, naive and enthusiastic director struggles in a provincial theatre in East Germany, while far away in the capital a revolution is taking place.

“His film — technically sophisticated and graced with excellent acting — conveys a picture of the East with an immediacy that no West German director has achieved.” – Jump Cut

Preceded by an introduction by Vlad Spicanovic, painter and Dean of Arts at OCAD University.

Website: http://www.goethe.de/ins/ca/tor/ver/en12869729v.htm

All with English subtitles

Location: TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St W, Toronto, ON

Tickets: $10, day-of sales only at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, open at 10am

All GOETHE FILMS are open to audiences 18+.

www.goethe.de/canada/germanfilm

Contact:

Jutta Brendemühl

Program Curator

Goethe-Institut Toronto

100 University Ave, North Tower,