http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Sat, 25 May 2013 02:50:56 +0200 Sat, 25 May 2013 02:50:56 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/how-hans-fischerkoesen-transformed-german-animation-a-898814.html#ref=rss Asthma forced Hans Fischerkoesen to spend most of his childhood in bed, but this period also ignited his imagination. In time, "Germany's Walt Disney" would go on to become an animation legend. But his career almost became derailed by World War II -- until Hitler stepped in. Thu, 09 May 2013 12:59:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/how-hans-fischerkoesen-transformed-german-animation-a-898814.html Asthma forced Hans Fischerkoesen to spend most of his childhood in bed, but this period also ignited his imagination. In time, "Germany's Walt Disney" would go on to become an animation legend. But his career almost became derailed by World War II -- until Hitler stepped in.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-1970s-craze-for-lederhosen-porn-from-bavaria-germany-a-889164.html#ref=rss Four decades ago, the southern German state of Bavaria became the birthplace of a film genre like no other. The alpine meadows were rugged, the men wore lederhosen, the porn was soft -- and Germany was hooked. Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:17:44 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-1970s-craze-for-lederhosen-porn-from-bavaria-germany-a-889164.html Four decades ago, the southern German state of Bavaria became the birthplace of a film genre like no other. The alpine meadows were rugged, the men wore lederhosen, the porn was soft -- and Germany was hooked. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/movie-about-kidnap-victim-natascha-kampusch-released-in-germany-a-886367.html#ref=rss A feature film about Natascha Kampusch, who was abducted at the age of 10 and held captive for eight years, hit German-language cinemas this week. "3096 Days" tells the story of her imprisonment and ends with her escape. In real life, Kampusch is still looking for closure. Fri, 01 Mar 2013 15:01:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/movie-about-kidnap-victim-natascha-kampusch-released-in-germany-a-886367.html 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/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/kultur/kino/34-max-ophuels-preis-startet-mit-auszeichnung-fuer-michael-ballhaus-a-878854.html#ref=rss Ein Stelldichein der jüngsten deutschen Kinogeneration: Ab Montag zeigen Nachwuchsregisseure beim Filmfestival Max-Ophüls-Preis ihre Arbeiten - zu sehen sind Filme über Murat Kurnaz und den Zusammenbruch der EU. Kamera-Veteran Michael Ballhaus erhält einen Ehrenpreis. Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:05:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/kino/34-max-ophuels-preis-startet-mit-auszeichnung-fuer-michael-ballhaus-a-878854.html Ein Stelldichein der jüngsten deutschen Kinogeneration: Ab Montag zeigen Nachwuchsregisseure beim Filmfestival Max-Ophüls-Preis ihre Arbeiten - zu sehen sind Filme über Murat Kurnaz und den Zusammenbruch der EU. Kamera-Veteran Michael Ballhaus erhält einen Ehrenpreis.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/sexual-abuse-revelations-change-our-view-of-klaus-kinski-a-877039.html#ref=rss The sexual abuse claims levelled against Klaus Kinski by his daughter Pola make it clear that cinema fans have deified a monster. The evil that he oozed on the silver screen has now been retroactively authenticated by his alleged depravity. Fri, 11 Jan 2013 16:49:58 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/sexual-abuse-revelations-change-our-view-of-klaus-kinski-a-877039.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/filmmaker-confronts-leaders-over-forgotten-holocaust-in-romania-a-867058.html#ref=rss In a new documentary film, director Florin Iepan confronts Romania's leaders over their ongoing silence about the country's role in the Holocaust. But in a place where war criminals are still lauded as national heroes, his aim of getting them to acknowledge the past remains a daunting task. Thu, 15 Nov 2012 11:21:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/filmmaker-confronts-leaders-over-forgotten-holocaust-in-romania-a-867058.html http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/kino/toy-story-autor-michael-arndt-schreibt-drehbuch-fuer-star-wars-film-a-866775.html#ref=rss Der Autor von "Toy Story 3" und "Little Miss Sunshine" schreibt die "Star Wars"-Saga fort. Oscar-Preisträger Michael Arndt arbeite schon am Drehbuch für "Episode VII", teilte Lucasfilm mit. Der Film soll 2015 in die Kinos kommen - und vielleicht ist sogar Harrison Ford mit dabei. Oder Mark Hamill. Mon, 12 Nov 2012 17:37:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/kino/toy-story-autor-michael-arndt-schreibt-drehbuch-fuer-star-wars-film-a-866775.html Der Autor von "Toy Story 3" und "Little Miss Sunshine" schreibt die "Star Wars"-Saga fort. Oscar-Preisträger Michael Arndt arbeite schon am Drehbuch für "Episode VII", teilte Lucasfilm mit. Der Film soll 2015 in die Kinos kommen - und vielleicht ist sogar Harrison Ford mit dabei. Oder Mark Hamill.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/george-lucas-verkauft-firma-an-disney-und-will-erloes-spenden-a-864751.html#ref=rss Gut vier Milliarden Dollar bringt ihm der Verkauf seiner legendären "Star Wars"-Schmiede. Nun teilte Produzent George Lucas mit, dass er den Großteil der Summe spenden will. Hollywood-Experten rätseln, wohin genau das Geld gehen soll. Thu, 01 Nov 2012 14:18:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/george-lucas-verkauft-firma-an-disney-und-will-erloes-spenden-a-864751.html Gut vier Milliarden Dollar bringt ihm der Verkauf seiner legendären "Star Wars"-Schmiede. Nun teilte Produzent George Lucas mit, dass er den Großteil der Summe spenden will. Hollywood-Experten rätseln, wohin genau das Geld gehen soll.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/journalists-at-cannes-asked-to-pay-for-interviews-a-834161.html#ref=rss For the first time in the history of the Cannes Film Festival, a distribution firm has asked for a fee from journalists who want to interview Hollywood celebrities. Many journalists are eschewing the offer of a 20-minute interview with Brad Pitt for 2,500 euros, arguing it would set a dangerous precedent. Mon, 21 May 2012 13:13:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/journalists-at-cannes-asked-to-pay-for-interviews-a-834161.html For the first time in the history of the Cannes Film Festival, a distribution firm has asked for a fee from journalists who want to interview Hollywood celebrities. Many journalists are eschewing the offer of a 20-minute interview with Brad Pitt for 2,500 euros, arguing it would set a dangerous precedent. ]]> 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/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/flaming-pictures-debate-on-saving-historic-films-explodes-a-814106.html#ref=rss Is it acceptable to destroy cultural objects as if they were land mines? This is a question faced by archivists in Germany, where many of the country's historical films were shot on explosive nitrocellulose. A bitter fight has broken out in Germany over whether the film should be preserved or destroyed. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:01:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/flaming-pictures-debate-on-saving-historic-films-explodes-a-814106.html 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