Have I Got a New TV Series For You!

Los Angeles, CA—I was invited by an Austrian actor friend, Thomas Mikusz to a screening at the Goethe Institute here.  He was moderating the Q&A of German film Director Edward Berger (of the film, JACK) and music director Reinhold Heil.  Ive been watching this exciting series that now has me absolutely spellbound!  The writing is top notch.  It’s a Sundance-TV original series.  Sounds American, right?  No!

It’s Called, DEUTSCHLAND 83 a cold war thriller about the East German Stazi Intelligence and the very hot cold war before Communism as we knew it fell.

Interestingly enough this was released here first.  Germany will have to wait until next month to see this!

In an age of reality TV garbage and sensational but mindless, over the top special effect films, this is a wonderful story and character driven series.  Yes, terrific actors actually bring the written words to life off the pages of a marvelous script by Anna Winger.  She and Jorg Winger created this masterpiece of entertainment.

This was produced by the same people that brought the Emmy Winning Mini-Series called GENERATION WAR about a group of attractive young friends that agreed as World War Two began to meet in the same café at the war’s end.  Those that met after the war had dramatically changed and challenged lives.  I wrote about that series on this blog.

As for DEUTSCHLAND 83 it’s a story of two sisters, one a loyal GDR Stazi official (Maria Schrader) and the other (Carina N. Wiese) a freedom-loving captive who is stuck in a place she’d rather not be.  That sister has a life-threating kidney problems and a young son (Jonas Nay) serving in the military as a somewhat low level border guard. 

Family dynamics are pushed into an untenable and tyrannical situation where our young border guard is forced into being a Stazi spy because of his aunt’s extortionate demands.

The plot takes viewers to the War Rooms of the GDR and NATO headquarters.  During the period high-level military officials made strategic plans to attack and defend using nuclear weapons.  Our young border guard finds himself forced way out of his comfort zone to capture or copy documents.  Getting caught by the West had far fewer consequences then failing the GDR and Stazi.

Then there are the complicated ladies in our unlikely border guard-hero’s life.   No, I wont spoil it for you! 

It’s filmed in various German locations including the actual former East German Stazi headquarters. It’s loaded with excellent costumes and props from the period. 

Yes, it is in German and is subtitled in English.  By the way my friend Thomas sent me home with a set of DVD’s for the first season!  Now that’s what friends are for!

You can see this series on iTunes and other popular American film sharing services.

Das System, a Film Review!

Director Marc Bauder with Screenwriter Dörte Franke

Los Angeles, CA—I’m a frequent visitor to events put on by the arts arm of the German government.  This time it was at the renowned Goethe-Institut across the street from the Screen Actor’s Guild where I’m a member.

They had a real treat for me lined up.  A screening of a film called Das System and a Q&A with the director Marc Bauder and one of the two screenwriters, Dörte Franke.  Afterwards there was a meet and greet reception. 

The film was a real thriller.  It interposed East Germany’s dark past with modern day corruption.  The unintended protagonist is a 20 year-old boy, Mike Hiller, played by Jacob Matschenz.  Later in the film, through cinematic magic, Hiller returns to play his presumed father, Rolf. 

The young Hiller who survives as a petty criminal,  is sought out by a wealthy fellow, Konrad Böhm played by Bernhard Schütz.  

Böhm is somewhat on a mission to mentor the lad into a "better" life of wealth, intrigue and corruption.  Complicating this mix is the boy’s concerned and suffering mother, Elke Hiller, wonderfully played by Jenny Schily. 

Böhm’s job is that of a professional extortionist/lobbyist who uses embarrassing information from old GDR-STAZI files against bureaucrats to steer government business to unqualified contractors that pay him generous commissions.  

Personal conflicts are present involving Mike’s mother who clearly wants the best for Mike.   Some past secrets move this terrific and easy to follow story along.

The story is well told and an ensemble of great actors working under Marc Bauder’s capable direction brings this unusual white-collar crime story to life.  

If I have a criticism is that this terrific film was not made in English for a wider audience and a chance to compete in the Oscars for more than Best Foreign Film.  English is the default language that bridges the Germans, French, Italians, Spaniards and others.  

Frankly I don’t understand the reluctance of American audiences to learn great languages like German or even watch a sub-titled film. 

If you get a chance to see this film it’s well worth the price of admission! At least buy the DVD!

I see a great future for the young director and screenwriters involved with this film. 

Below is a trailer for the film however unlike the film itself, it’s not subtitled:

 

Goethe Institute Promotes German Culture and American relations

Washington, DC—In our world politics and governments may change but people and their cultures remain the same.

As a young man and Army draftee I was part of the post World War Two military occupation that was still around 23 years after the war ended. I saw some amazing things in Germany. They were still repairing war damage but the smiles and friendship the people offered me was immeasurable to this Chicago boy so far from home. Serving in Germany was one of the greatest experiences of my life.

Germany had joined NATO and we were all part of the common defense against the totalitarian Soviet regime. In thousands of homes were pictures and tapestries of our President John F. Kennedy. Kennedy endeared himself to the German people with his famous, “Ich bin ein Berliner!” speech.

The German people accepted me as one of them. I went out of my way to learn and think in the German language. My host country shared their food, culture, hopes, dreams and lives with me. Fun was going to a night club were a rock group would perform the latest American hits, but with a German accent!

Too many of my fellow soldiers stayed among themselves missing a fabulous experience. In retrospect I could have stayed in Germany. The Germans had a special love for life perhaps as a direct result of the war and deprivation they experienced. Germany has been enjoying its freedom and liberty since the war ended in 1945. Germany has been rebuilt and has never looked better!

There’s nothing like a German summer lunch at an outdoor cafe or perhaps some wine a cheese on a short river cruise on the Rhine or Main. At night there’s lots of music and dancing under the stars in this exceptional country. Okay I must admit I’ve found the German women to be fascinating and beautiful to say the least.

Many German people have come to live and work in the United States as our globe has gotten smaller thanks to the jets that move us around so quickly.

A little slice of Germany exists at the Goethe Institute where you can mix and network or simply make friends. If you’re lucky enough to be doing business in Germany you will get lots of assistance making your stay there an enjoyable and even life changing experience.

Enjoy a short video of my dear friend Andrea bringing me to the 20 year Berlin Wall Falling Fest. Because of the crowded event we took the subway from the Spandau neighborhood to the center of the event at Potsdamer Platz. (The subway entertainment is provided by Eastern European musicians that are a product of the fall of communism.)