WELCOME TO GERMANY

When was the last time you went to see a really great German film? Wim Wenders’ stunning 3D salute to Pina Bausch? The Oscar-winning The Lives of Others (Das Leben der Anderen) perhaps or was it Run Lola Run (Lola rennt)? Germany has given world cinema some ofits most indelible images from the magnificence of Metropolis to the madness of Aguirre, Wrath of God and yet contemporary German cinema continues to be under-represented on British screens.

The Glasgow Film Festival 2012 country focus shines the spotlight on a stunning selection of new German features that have been making waves around the globe from Maggie Peren’s Toronto discovery Colour of the Ocean (Die Farbe des Ozeans) to Andreas Dresen’s Cannes triumph Stopped on Track (Halt auf freier Strecke) to Ulrich Köhler’s Berlin prize-winner Sleeping Sickness (Schlafkrankheit) and the award-winning Vincent Wants to Sea (Vincent will Meer). These are films that boldly tackle social taboos, that hold up an unflinching mirror to contemporary society or that allow us to reflect on the lessons of the past. There are rowdy comedies, sombre dramas and tales that are guaranteed to make you think and feel. This is a snapshot of the best German films of the past year and a chance to savour what we have all been missing.

A huge thanks to Marlies Pfeifer and the Goethe Institut who have been indispensable in making this country focus happen.