Reviews

Wonderful exploration on the essence of partnership, set in contemporary Berlin. Can we shape our happiness by conscient fabrications? Dan Stevens is hilarious and profoundly heartwarming as the oh so perfect robot mate. Maren Eggert's portrayal of Alma juggling reason and longing is relatable on so many levels. Her acting feels effortless in the best possible sense. Memorable visuals and soundtrack, too. After Unorthodox the next intellectually and emotionally remarkable, yet entertaining piece of director Maria Schrader.

Fantastic show. If you like to immerge into other worlds, if you enjoy the maelstrom which can be created by great fiction and art, Babylon Berlin is just right for you. You don't even have to be interested in history or politics or cinematic artistry. It still works perfectly just as a story full of suspense and entertainment. It took a while to really get under my skin because it does not use the usual tear jerking bits and no clear cut heros who always do what you wish them to do in order to like them. It creeps into you in small but steady doses. The pace does increase in the second season (E 9-16) with a perfect finale. They do a great job of letting you feel the hope, courage, glamour, stupor, dust and doom of Berlin 1928. They do not force any morale or ostensible messages on you, yet it never feels spineless. Historical insight and information are weaved into a fictional world that captures your senses and intellect alike. They do it in such a natural way that it never feels educational. Like they did in Mad Men or Downton Abbey, but with some more use of experimental ways to visualise or narrate the story. The acting, the visual art (both set and cinematography), the music, are all impressive in the literal sense. The singing: Wow. A haunting performance by Severija Januauskaite, and not to forget Brian Ferry.

I can only recommend to watch it. And good to know that they plan on creating two more seasons.

The film sets off by showing how a father and his teenage son Lars struggle to start a new life in the east German province. In calm paces the film extends. It finds beautiful images in the small world involved, the cinematography is inventive and the repeated takes of the same beautiful spots with the different use of light and weather underline the development of the story. Lars meets Marie, the teenage daughter of the local pub owner. Gently they get to know each other while their parents and Co. struggle with their own screwed lives. Again, the pace is calm, but slowly but surely - accompanied by a funny, grotesque humour with many laughs in the audience - the plot culminates in a Christmas dinner that you will be happy not to have to attend. A wonderful movie which combines all the necessary ingredients. Very good rather understated acting, visual beauty, interesting characters, good storytelling.

This film offers you a fascinating trip through one of the most exiting cities of today - Istanbul - and its musicians. Do not expect a compilation of Turkish folklore or anything like that. Alexander Hacke, a German musician and member of the cult band "Einstürzende Neubauten" travels to Istanbul to get to know the music scene. His sparse voice overs of what he experiences are a guiding line through the film. But mainly German-Turkish director Faith Akin lets various artists from Istanbul do the talking - and of course their music.

You meet a variety of personalities, big stars and street musicians, young and old, people playing many different musical styles. But this movie does not only introduce you to the sound of Istanbul. It also draws a compelling picture of Istanbul today and how Turkey has forged ahead in the last decade. The film characterises its protagonists with subtle humour, but never without respect. All of them share a passion for music and the belief in its power.

Akin again shows his talent to portray diversity lightheartedly when he brings you close to completely different musical scenes. After his award winning feature film "Gegen die Wand" (Head on) Faith Akin proves with "Crossing the Bridge" that he is equally able to touch, entertain and guide his audience in a documentary. If you have never been in Istanbul, you will want to go there after having seen the film.

One day in Europe shows stories set in four European countries. All of them involve thievery in some way or the other. The protagonists are strangers in the respective country. For none of them their stay turns out as planned. With sympathetic mockery a small share of each of the different cultures is highlighted. The film uses characteristics typically attributed to the countries and weaves numerous funny events around, without becoming stereotypical. Especially the police scenes are fun to watch.

Straight forward directing and a good ensemble cast. The script cleverly uses the potential provided by language barriers. All in all the movie is quite entertaining and shows why Europe really is to enjoy.