Film Spotlight: The Goethe Institut Toronto

We're lucky that Toronto is a city dedicated not only to the creation, but the appreciation of films. This is evident in the dozens of film festivals we host every year, the dedication of the managers at rep and alternative cinemas which still manage to thrive against multiplex giants, as well as the global recognition of Toronto as a major film metropolis. But what often becomes overlooked is what our multiculturalism as a city brings to the table in terms of film appreciation. Toronto is home to many cultural groups dedicated to raising awareness of their artistic greats and one of these groups would be the Goethe Institut of Toronto.

For over 40 years, this German cultural group has been promoting and showcasing German culture in Canada through offices in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Vancouver, with well over 100 offices worldwide. The goal is to expose the world to German culture and language and to set up dialogue about German art with other countries. In terms of filmmaking, the group frequently screens films by contemporary and classical German filmmakers, hosts film festivals such as the Eh!U European Film Festival and they ran a sound and light installation for Nuit Blanche '07.

This week, the Goethe is showcasing documentaries by Harun Farocki at the Camera Bar. The series has a cost of $5 upfront and $5 per screening. Artists formerly showcased through Goethe screenings have included Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Helmut Kautner and Werner Herzog, not to mention their nights of short European films and an innovative series, 40 Years of Video Art in Germany.

Photo: Goethe Institut: 5:45am by Hyfen