German National Cinema

by Sabine Hake

Sabine Hake presents the second edition of her comprehensive account of German cinema from its origins to the present. From The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari to Run Lola Run , Hake examines a range of films in relation to the social, political, economic and technological events surrounding them. The second edition has been thoroughly revised and updated to an expansion of the final chapter on Post-unification cinema; references to recent film releases (through 2006) such as Downfall , Goodbye Lenin , and The Edukators; Analysis of German-Turkish cinema, gay and lesbian cinema, new documentary styles (Berlin School), and the question of postnational or transnational cinema. Covering a wide range of genres, Hake assesses the work of directors and stars alike, exploring the competing definitions of German cinema as art cinema, quality entertainment, political propaganda and rival of Hollywood.

Genres: Film, German Literature, Nonfiction, History

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview, but too overview-y. Reads like a fucking term paper. Wildly overdoses on the word "affinity." Descriptions of the films, even the biggies (Langs, Riefenstahls, Fassbinders, etc.), too brief and unalluring; it doesn't make you want to run out and catch films you've never heard of. (Though I'm doing that anyway.) Better at social context, though I had to consult Wikipedia to learn more about, say, the Weimar Republic.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had the most comprehensive survey of German cinema that I think anyone could have ever offered me. It's such a niche topic, but Hake is a hallmark cinema scholar that you're bound to come across if you ever want to study the filmic traditions & legacies of the Fatherland. In the end, I thought the book was worth it!

[Beret]

Hefty for my students, but great info to put German cinema into the context of the "national."

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used in German Film course Spring 2011. Overview of German Cinema from its beginnings to 2007.