http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:47:53 +0200 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:47:53 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/crisis-plays-leading-role-in-greek-berlinale-films-a-883466.html#ref=rss Times are tough in Greece, and three films from the country that premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival this week reflect that difficult reality. Dark, surreal and frightening by turns, they zoom in on a society under massive pressure. Fri, 15 Feb 2013 18:24:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/crisis-plays-leading-role-in-greek-berlinale-films-a-883466.html Times are tough in Greece, and three films from the country that premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival this week reflect that difficult reality. Dark, surreal and frightening by turns, they zoom in on a society under massive pressure.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/documentary-explores-gay-and-lesbian-oppression-in-east-germany-a-883707.html#ref=rss East Germany decriminalized homosexuality early on, a move that was touted as an example of its progressivism. But a documentary that premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival this week shows the regime was still deeply homophobic. Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:26:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/documentary-explores-gay-and-lesbian-oppression-in-east-germany-a-883707.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/director-hala-lotfy-on-making-independent-films-in-egypt-a-883254.html#ref=rss This year's Berlinale line-up features just one film from Egypt, a country in turmoil where independent filmmakers face major challenges. But director Hala Lotfy has not only succeeeded, she is also helping other artists do the same. Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:32:54 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/director-hala-lotfy-on-making-independent-films-in-egypt-a-883254.html This year's Berlinale line-up features just one film from Egypt, a country in turmoil where independent filmmakers face major challenges. But director Hala Lotfy has not only succeeeded, she is also helping other artists do the same. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-act-of-killing-reenacting-war-crimes-with-indonesian-gangsters-a-882970.html#ref=rss A documentary at the Berlinale that portrays aging Indonesian war criminals reenacting their crimes is being praised as surreal and frightening. Director Joshua Oppenheimer says the film may also answer questions about how war criminals excuse their actions. Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:23:34 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-act-of-killing-reenacting-war-crimes-with-indonesian-gangsters-a-882970.html A documentary at the Berlinale that portrays aging Indonesian war criminals reenacting their crimes is being praised as surreal and frightening. Director Joshua Oppenheimer says the film may also answer questions about how war criminals excuse their actions. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/2013-berlin-international-film-festival-focuses-on-women-and-eastern-europe-a-881766.html#ref=rss The 63rd Berlin International Film Festival kicks off on Thursday with a martial arts epic from Hong Kong. The festival's director says this year's selection pays particularly close attention to women, indigenous peoples and life in Eastern Europe. Wed, 06 Feb 2013 19:13:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/2013-berlin-international-film-festival-focuses-on-women-and-eastern-europe-a-881766.html The 63rd Berlin International Film Festival kicks off on Thursday with a martial arts epic from Hong Kong. The festival's director says this year's selection pays particularly close attention to women, indigenous peoples and life in Eastern Europe.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/western-film-industry-increasing-turns-to-asia-for-financing-and-distribution-a-881668.html#ref=rss The movie industry is increasingly shifting toward Asia, especially China, striking fear in the hearts of Hollywood studio executives. The two cultures are about to clash at the Berlin International Film Festival, which opens with the Chinese epic film "The Grandmaster" by Wong Kar-wai. Wed, 06 Feb 2013 18:33:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/western-film-industry-increasing-turns-to-asia-for-financing-and-distribution-a-881668.html The movie industry is increasingly shifting toward Asia, especially China, striking fear in the hearts of Hollywood studio executives. The two cultures are about to clash at the Berlin International Film Festival, which opens with the Chinese epic film "The Grandmaster" by Wong Kar-wai.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/reporting-on-revolution-movie-examines-journalists-battle-to-report-egypt-s-uprising-a-816044.html#ref=rss The documentary "Reporting... A Revolution" tells the story of six intrepid Egyptian journalists who watched in horror from their Cairo hotel as security forces attacked protesters near Tahrir Square during last year's revolution. The film, which screened at this year's Berlin International Film Festival, delves into how reporters react when their home city turns into a war zone. Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:53:09 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/reporting-on-revolution-movie-examines-journalists-battle-to-report-egypt-s-uprising-a-816044.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/hit-serbian-comedy-at-the-berlinale-i-made-a-film-for-homophobes-a-815527.html#ref=rss The Serbian comedy "Parada," about a couple that want to organize a gay pride parade in Belgrade, was a surprise hit in the Balkans. SPIEGEL ONLINE spoke to director Srdjan Dragojevic about the challenges involved in making a film about gays for a largely homophobic audience. Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:56:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/hit-serbian-comedy-at-the-berlinale-i-made-a-film-for-homophobes-a-815527.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/berlinale-behind-bars-werner-herzog-looks-for-the-human-side-of-death-row-a-815296.html#ref=rss Their crimes are monstrous. But renowned German filmmaker Werner Herzog seeks to show that death row inmates in the US are not monsters. His new series of documentaries, showing at the Berlin International Film Festival this week, provides a different look at those up for execution. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:52:32 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/berlinale-behind-bars-werner-herzog-looks-for-the-human-side-of-death-row-a-815296.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/film-festival-shocker-movie-about-nazis-in-space-gets-laughs-in-berlin-a-815002.html#ref=rss It's 2018, and an American space mission discovers that there's a huge colony of Nazis on the dark side of the moon, living in a swastika-shaped castle and bent on invading Earth. The comedy 'Iron Sky' has proved a surprise hit at the Berlin Film Festival. Part of the funding comes from German taxpayers. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:50:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/film-festival-shocker-movie-about-nazis-in-space-gets-laughs-in-berlin-a-815002.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/beyond-hollywood-berlin-film-festival-bets-on-fresh-blood-a-814587.html#ref=rss Hindered in the festival's ability to draw star power, Dieter Kosslick, the head of the Berlin International Film Festival, is instead focusing on presenting new discoveries, including German films and the best from abroad. The biggest star in town this week is Angelina Jolie, but Kosslick is also set on creating new ones. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:07:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/beyond-hollywood-berlin-film-festival-bets-on-fresh-blood-a-814587.html Hindered in the festival's ability to draw star power, Dieter Kosslick, the head of the Berlin International Film Festival, is instead focusing on presenting new discoveries, including German films and the best from abroad. The biggest star in town this week is Angelina Jolie, but Kosslick is also set on creating new ones.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/from-dietrich-to-tarantino-germany-s-studio-babelsberg-recalls-a-century-of-film-history-a-813635.html#ref=rss It's where Marlene Dietrich made her name, Fritz Lang created "Metropolis" and Quentin Tarantino and Roman Polanski sat in director's chairs. Studio Babelsberg, the world's first major film studio, turns 100 on Sunday. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:14:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/from-dietrich-to-tarantino-germany-s-studio-babelsberg-recalls-a-century-of-film-history-a-813635.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/big-budget-at-the-berlinale-director-zhang-presents-hollywood-made-in-china-a-814007.html#ref=rss Chinese director Zhang Yimou was long considered a critic of his country's regime. Lately, though, he has focused on sumptuous period pieces -- and Beijing hopes his new film, "Flowers of War," will establish the country as a cultural world power. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:59:43 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/big-budget-at-the-berlinale-director-zhang-presents-hollywood-made-in-china-a-814007.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/i-hate-politics-iranian-director-performs-difficult-balancing-act-a-774367.html#ref=rss Iranian director Asghar Farhadi won the Golden Bear for Best Film at the 2011 Berlin International Film Festival for his drama "Nader and Simin, A Separation." Since then, the West has regarded the filmmaker as an authority on political conditions in Iran. But the new role could be dangerous for Farhadi. Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:21:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/i-hate-politics-iranian-director-performs-difficult-balancing-act-a-774367.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/interview-with-rent-boys-director-every-person-has-value-no-matter-what-they-do-a-747267.html#ref=rss Following its premiere at the recent Berlinale, "Rent Boys" will be released in Germany. The documentary about male prostitutes in Berlin reveals old structures of discrimination in Europe. Director Rosa von Praunheim spoke to SPIEGEL ONLINE about the importance of narrating the young men's stories without resorting to cliché. Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:48:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/interview-with-rent-boys-director-every-person-has-value-no-matter-what-they-do-a-747267.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/asghar-farhadi-wins-golden-bear-iranian-film-takes-top-prize-at-berlinale-a-746610.html#ref=rss An Iranian film has won the top prize at the Berlin International Film Festival for the first time. The Golden Bear went to Asghar Farhadi's family drama "Nader and Simin: A Separation." Sat, 19 Feb 2011 20:36:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/asghar-farhadi-wins-golden-bear-iranian-film-takes-top-prize-at-berlinale-a-746610.html An Iranian film has won the top prize at the Berlin International Film Festival for the first time. The Golden Bear went to Asghar Farhadi's family drama "Nader and Simin: A Separation."]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/austrian-nazi-comedy-at-the-berlinale-jewish-hero-plays-a-dangerous-double-game-a-746154.html#ref=rss The Jewish hero dons an SS uniform to outwit the Nazis, get back a stolen drawing, save his mother's life and get the girl. The Austrian film "My Best Enemy" is a World War II thriller that also plays for laughs. SPIEGEL ONLINE spoke to director Wolfgang Murnberger about the risks of making a comedy about such a loaded subject. Sat, 19 Feb 2011 12:31:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/austrian-nazi-comedy-at-the-berlinale-jewish-hero-plays-a-dangerous-double-game-a-746154.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/anger-and-frustration-on-both-sides-film-that-angered-israeli-parliament-debuts-in-berlin-a-746451.html#ref=rss The Israeli-made film "Lipstikka" had its world premiere in Berlin this week. Last year the movie caused a storm of debate in its homeland due to the fact that it allegedly compared the occupation of Palestinian territories to the Holocaust. In an interview, director Jonathan Sagall and cast members discuss the controversy and red lines in the arts in the Middle East. Fri, 18 Feb 2011 18:36:31 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/anger-and-frustration-on-both-sides-film-that-angered-israeli-parliament-debuts-in-berlin-a-746451.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/oil-giant-gets-a-shelling-david-versus-goliath-off-the-irish-coast-a-745749.html#ref=rss The documentary "The Pipe," shown during the Berlinale film festival, tells the story of residents in a remote Irish coastal community who took on the oil giant Shell, and their own government. SPIEGEL ONLINE spoke to the director about the residents' David and Goliath struggle. Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:37:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/oil-giant-gets-a-shelling-david-versus-goliath-off-the-irish-coast-a-745749.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/a-new-dimension-in-film-3d-movies-go-arthouse-at-berlinale-a-746044.html#ref=rss This year's Berlin International Film Festival broke new ground by featuring 3D movies in its official program for the first time. But instead of effect-packed blockbusters, the movies on show are arthouse works from directors like Wim Wenders and Werner Herzog. Is 3D cinema going highbrow? Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:05:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/a-new-dimension-in-film-3d-movies-go-arthouse-at-berlinale-a-746044.html