German Filmmuseum Edition

[knives]

The trouble could be with my laptop, but the discs automatically go to the main menu for me.

[antnield]

Looking back at my old Digital Fix review, I see that I listed Zwischen Mitternacht before the main feature in the contents section at the bottom. And I'm about 98% sure that I would have done so solely because it appeared on the disc immediately rather than through a menu screen.

[knives]

When I get back home I'll check on my X-box. Would hate to have gotten a faulty disc.

[TMDaines]

The trouble could be with my laptop, but the discs automatically go to the main menu for me.

Are you playing in the disc in VLC or using AnyDVD? If so, try Media Player Classic or PowerDVD or so. Some media players have the option to skip forced advertising at the start and naturally it may detect a forced short as an advert.

[knives]

That's got to be it.

[zedz]

Yeah, the one-minute films on some of those discs play as 'trailers', as I recall. I think most of them are also collected in more rational form as a programme on another of the television discs.

[TMDaines]

Edition Filmmuseum have started doing the odd special offer recently and I thought this one may interest some people: Kluge set for €120 (+ postage)

It seems great value but everything I've read has suggested that there is an awful lot of chaff (and indeed shit) in there amongst the better stuff.

[zedz]

Be warned that Filmmuseum's international postage is very pricey. But as far as I know the 'complete Kluge' box is not available from any other supplier.

As for the chaff to wheat ratio, it all depends on where you stand on Kluge. Theatrically, it's just about everything he ever did, and his filmmaking practice was incredibly diverse, so the chances of somebody responding well to all of it is remote. But the best of it is some of the strongest and most challenging filmmaking of the New German Cinema.

The TV stuff is more consistent, though arguably less essential. Its backbone is hyper-intelligent interviews with knowledgeable experts (or Peter Berling improvising outrageously), so it's probably more of a case of whether or not the subjects covered appeal to you. I expect that given your specific interest in German culture you'll find a lot of the television interviews worthwhile.

[TMDaines]

Thanks, I was going to order on the basis I'll definitely get my money's worth somehow, even if just from the cinematic works. I'll definitely be keeping all the narrative films it's just whether or not I sell on the TV works after giving them a watch.

They'd cost €300 separately so it's a very good deal.

Edit: I was going to order but despite being told it was going to cost just €12.60 to ship to Europe, they're now asking for €59.50! I see what you mean by pricey. I tested to see how much a double disc DVD set would cost to send and they asked for €16 to send! It seems like they're going down the Ryanair pricing route! Oh well, I'll pass for now. I wrote to them so let's see if they get back to me.

Second Edit: They got back to me quickly and confirmed there's a problem in the system, so perhaps some of you who have ordered recently have overpaid:

I must track this down. Shipping should be 16,52€ - shall I place the order for you?
If yes: will you settle your account by Papyal or standard bank transfer?

If you are London based: The BFI film store offers our products and usually has on e complete Kluge collection available.

Cheers

Franziska

[antnield]

Latest release: Mein Freund der Mörder & Al Capone von der Pfalz, Peter Fleischmann's two documentaries on Bernhard Kimmel.

[HerrSchreck]

Can anyone confirm or deny that Munich Filmmuseum is going to/already has put Lupu Pick's SYLVESTER out in the cinema/filmfest for a retrospective? I heard some snippits of info along those lines either here or on another forum, and then nothing since.

Adore this label!

[Tommaso]

I'm pretty sure they showed it, even though I also cannot find the source right now. But that doesn't mean that a dvd release is imminent. The Munich filmmuseum is very active and their organisers seem to have great taste (they did a rather comprehensive Willi Forst retrospective last summer), but getting these films for a one-off screening in a retrospective doesn't mean anyone will invest in or is able to get the rights for a dvd release. Even so, the simple fact that they mention "Algol", coupled with Grune's "Schlagende Wetter" as one of their next releases makes them (again) perhaps the best label for outstanding silent releases worldwide. Especially if one considers the quality of their transfers and the care they put into their releases in general.

[HerrSchreck]

I of course know that a theatrical exhibition does not equal a dvd edition on the horizon Tom, I was just curious whether not I cleaned up print had hit the cinemas in Germany. For once a viable print is available and exhibited the chances increase that it might appear on television if not in it full blown dvd edition.

And do I ever share your love for this label!

[L.A.]

Nathan der Weise is available again and in an improved edition according to the site.

[HerrSchreck]

They can't improve the film, which is the problem.

[neilist]

the simple fact that they mention "Algol", coupled with Grune's "Schlagende Wetter" as one of their next releases makes them (again) perhaps the best label for outstanding silent releases worldwide.

There's a trailer gone up for 'Algol' at the Edition Filmmuseum page here and the quality is looking pretty stunning to me.

I hadn't noticed either that this is coming out with a Grune film on the disc! The DVD was going to be a definite purchase for me anyway, but now I'm looking forward to it all the more.

[antnield]

Appearing shortly... Four Films with Asta Nielsen

This 2-disc DVD set shows the versatility of silent diva Asta Nielsen: She fights for Women's rights in DIE SUFFRAGETTE, speculates successfully at the stock market in DIE BÖRSENKÖNIGIN, and shows off as an adolescant woman in male attire and as an Eskimo woman in the comedies DAS LIEBES-ABC and DAS ESKIMOBABY. Four rare films in newly restored and reconstructed versions for the first time available on DVD.

[HerrSchreck]

Naturally thrilled at the two-fer, and I don't want to seem like I'm looking a gift horse in the mouth, but the pairing of these 2 films seems odd to me. Does it to anyone else? Grune is a very important director who has been all too much overlooked in the realm of home video. SCHLAGENDE is a fantastic film on all fronts... Grune's inspired direction along with hugely inventive set design make this film work wonderfully on all levels, whereas in the hands of another director the film could have potentially wound up an insipid piece viz a predictable love triangle.

Grune is in such dire need of rediscovery, that I hate to see his first dvd feature release relegated to a coda -extra on another directors film. I think that they would have done much better pairing it with an incredibly important film for it's time, DIE STRASSE, which was a gigantic influence on another title in their catalog: THE JOYLESS STREET. Or AM RANDE DER WELT, another film which is ripe for rediscovery even if the complete elements don't exist... it would nonetheless make an excellent supplemental piece to one of the 2 aforementioned titles.

Anyone else see as odd the pairing of these 2 titles that share little in common aside from the fact that they are great and German and underappreciated, and silent?

[Tommaso]

I agree, the only connection between "Algol" and "Schlagende Wetter" seems to be that they both are concerned with mineworkers. But who knows, perhaps the good people at Filmmuseum will come up with some good comparisons between the two films, or someone interprets the Sci-Fi plot of "Algol" as somewhat allegoric for the general situation of the time or something. We'll see. It's really a gift horse (especially "Algol", which only floats around in a nearly unwatchable version), so absolutely no complaints from me.

[antnield]

The "Oberhausener"

Edition Filmmuseum 69
In 1962, the proclamation of the Oberhausen Manfesto marked the beginning of the New German Film. This 2-dsc DVD seht presents 19 short films from 1958-1964 produced, directed, photopgraphed or edited by one or more of the filmmakers who signed the manifesto. It also includes a booklet and ROM features with essays and documents.

Release date: May 2012

Menschen im Espresso - West Germany 1958 - Directed and written by: Herbert Vesely - Narration: Wilfried Berghahn - Cinematography by: Wolf Wirth - Edited by: Inge Walter - Produced by: Herbert Vesely for SWR

Schicksal einer Oper - West Germany 1958 - Directed and written by: Bernhard Dörries, Edgar Reitz, Stefan Meuschel - Cinematography by: Bernhard Dörries, Edgar Reitz - Edited by: Bernhard Dörries - Produced by: Studio für Dokumentarfilme / Filmstudio Walter Leckebusch

Glühendes Eiland Kreta - West Germany 1958 - Directed and photographed by: Pitt Koch - Drehbuch: Pitt Koch, Thomas Münster - Edited by: Ursel Werthner - Produced by: Artfilm

Das magische Band - West Germany 1959 - Directed by: Ferdinand Khittl - Written by: Bodo Blüthner, Ernst von Khuon, Ferdinand Khittl - Cinematography by: Ronald Martini - Edited by: Irmgard Henrici - Music by: Oskar Sala - With Margot Trooger, Ferdinand Khittl - Produced by: Gesellschaft für Bildende Filme for BASF

Moskau ruft - West Germany 1959 - Directed and written by: Peter Schamoni - Cinematography by: Jost Vacano - Music by: Occamstreet Footwarmers - Produced by: Schongerfilm

Stunde X - West Germany 1959 - Directed, written and edited by: Bernhard Dörries - Cinematography by: Wolf Wirth - Music by: Josef Anton Riedl - Produced by: Neue Filmform / Filmstudio Walter Leckebusch

Trab Trab - West Germany 1959 - Directed by: Detten Schleiermacher - Written by: Marc Vallier - Cinematography by: Wolf Wirth - Edited by: Ursel Werthner - Music by: Hans Loeper - Produced by: Detten Schleiermacher / Wolf Wirth

Salinas - West Germany 1960 - Directed and written by: Raimond Ruehl - Cinematography by: Pitt Koch - Edited by: Ursel Werthner - Music by: Hans Loeper - Produced by: Artfilm - Premiere: October 1960 (Internationale Filmwoche Mannheim)

Schatten - West Germany 1960 - Directed by: Hansjürgen Pohland - Written by: Leon G. Friedrich - Cinematography by: Friedhelm Heyde - Edited by: Christa Pohland - Music by: Manfred Burzlaff Septett - Produced by: Pohland Film

Brutalität in Stein - West Germany 1961 - Directed and written by: Peter Schamoni, Alexander Kluge - Cinematography by: Wolf Wirth - Edited by: Heidi Rente - Music by: Hans Posegga - Produced by: Peter Schamoni Filmproduktion / Kurzfilmproduktion Dieter Lemmel - Premiere: February 8, 1961 (Westdeutsche Kurzfilmtage Oberhausen)

Kommunikation - West Germany 1961 - Directed, written and photographed by: Edgar Reitz - Edited by: Anni Giese - Music by: Josef Anton Riedl - Produced by: Bavaria-Filmkunst Sonderproduktion for Deutsche Bundespost - Premiere: February 28, 1962 (Westdeutsche Kurzfilmtage Oberhausen)

Notizen aus dem Altmühltal - West Germany 1961 - Directed and written by: Hans Rolf Strobel, Heinrich Tichawsky - Cinematography by: Heinrich Tichawsky - Produced by: Produktion Strobel-Tichawsky - Premiere: February 11, 1961 (Westdeutsche Kurzfilmtage Oberhausen)

Plakate der Weimarer Republik - West Germany 1962 - Directed by: Haro Senft - Written by: Haro Senft, Hans Loeper - Cinematography by: Hans Furchner - Edited by: Ursel Werthner - Music by: Hans Loeper - Produced by: Haro Senft Filmproduktion - Premiere: February 1962 (Westdeutsche Kurzfilmtage Oberhausen)

Süden im Schatten - West Germany 1962 - Directed and photographed by: Franz-Josef Spieker - Written by: Franz-Josef Spieker, Gualtiero Guidi - Music by: Hans Loeper - Produced by: Kurzfilmproduktion F.-J. Spieker

Das Unkraut - West Germany 1962 - Directed by: Wolfgang Urchs - Written by: Detten Schleiermacher, Boris von Borresholm - Cinematography by: Peter Rosenwanger - Music by: Wilhelm Killmayer - Produced by: TC Trickstudio / Lux-Film - Premiere: October 17, 1962 (Internationale Filmwoche Mannheim)

Es muß ein Stück vom Hitler sein - West Germany 1963 - Directed and written by: Walter Krüttner - Cinematography by: Fritz Schwennicke - Music by: Erich Ferstl - Produced by: Cineropa-Film - Premiere: October 16, 1963 (Internationale Filmwoche Mannheim)

Anmeldung - West Germany 1964 - Directed, written and edited by: Rob Houwer - Cinematography by: Fred Tammes - Music by: Erich Ferstl - Cast: T. Vleeming-Vierdag - Produced by: Houwer-Film - Premiere: June 1964 (Berlinale)

Marionetten - West Germany 1964 - Directed and written by: Boris von Borresholm - Cinematography by: Hans Schmid - Music by:
Jochen Faber - Produced by: Lux-Film for Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung

Granstein - West Germany 1965 - Directed by: Christian Doermer - Written by: Christian Doermer, Detten Schleiermacher, Michael Schumann - Cinematography by: Ingo Grill, Lothar Spree, Konrad Kotowski - Edited by: Christian Doermer, Heidi Rente - With Ruth von Zerboni - Produced by: Cine Dokument Film

".... Geist und ein wenig Glück" - West Germany 1965 - Directed and written by: Ulrich Schamoni - Cinematography by: Petrus R. Schloemp - Edited by: Heidi Rente - With Ferdinand Khittl, Haro Senft, Franz-Josef Spieker, Vlado Kristl, Peter Schamoni, Enno Patalas, Ulrich Gregor, Uwe Nettelbeck, Rudolf Noelte, Hilmar Hoffmann, Artur Brauner, Peter Bamberger, Rudolf Thome, Klaus Lemke, Max Zihlmann - Produced by: Axel Jahn Film- und Fernsehproduktion for ZDF - Premiere: 25.6.1965 (ZDF)

Die Erben von Papas Kino - Austria 1968 - Directed and written by: Wilhelm Roth - Cinematography by: Peter Kodera - Edited by: Paula Dvorak - With Rob Houwer, Hans Rolf Strobel, Peter Schamoni, Norbert Kückelmann, Alexander Kluge, Marran Gosov, Werner Herzog, Edgar Reitz, Hans Toussaint, Hans Pflüger, Fred Hoffmann, Edgar Reitz - Produced by: WDS-Film for ORF

[zedz]

What a fantastic and historically valuable release!

If even one of these films is half the revelation that Die Parallelstrasse was, it'll be well worth a blind buy.

[colinr0380]

This site has a lot more information, plus some clips from the films and lots of interviews!

[zedz]

Also coming up, and which I hadn't noticed before, are four volumes of films by the great Croatian animator Vlado Kristl. With a likely eight discs to fill, this should amount to a Complete Works. For a taste, take a look at the strangest version of Don Quixote you'll ever see.

[John Edmond]

Great, utterly unexpected* news. I'd only seen a handful but this is a must. Hopefully at least some of the volumes will be out in time for the Animation List.

*Actually on googling for further details I see Kristl finished his career at the Munich Filmmusuem (who also hosted a retrospective on him in 03).

[McCrutchy]

Can someone help me out?

I see that Filmmuseum are preparing Thomas Heise's Sonnensystem (2011) for release, but if you visit the listing on Heise's own site it looks like you can inquire about a Blu-ray via an e-mail address, and I am wondering if this does exist and if it would be a pressed BD available to buy or if it is just for screenings...

Any assistance is greatly appreciated, since I don't speak German.