This course explores German filmmaking in the 21st century. It is an introduction to the understanding and interpretation of films produced in a specific national context outside of what is commonly referred to as Hollywood. Our examination will have two parts. An introduction to interpretative strategies used to understand feature length films as one of the dominant modes of storytelling and myth making in the contemporary world. And, an on-going discussion of the many ways in which issues related to history, nationality, language and global economics have influenced filmmaking in Germany. We will view, analyze, compare, discuss and interpret a representative sampling of contemporary German films while questioning and exploring the very designation German in the context of globalized media markets.

This course explores German filmmaking in the 21st century. It is an introduction to the understanding and interpretation of films produced in a specific national context outside of what is commonly referred to as Hollywood. Our examination will have two parts. An introduction to interpretative strategies used to understand feature length films as one of the dominant modes of storytelling and myth making in the contemporary world. And, an on-going discussion of the many ways in which issues related to history, nationality, language and global economics have influenced filmmaking in Germany. We will view, analyze, compare, discuss and interpret a representative sampling of contemporary German films while questioning and exploring the very designation German in the context of globalized media markets.