German321, Fall Semester 1995, Introduction to German Popular Film

Syllabus

Deutsch 321: Studies in Popular Film

Dr. Renate Fischetti Office Hours:

AC 138, Tel. 455-2003/2109 Mon 3-5, or

Email: fischetti@umbc2.umbc.edu by appointment

In this course, we will study popular films from Germany, with our readings focussing on the fifties. We will look for themes, styles, and historical relevance. We will also compare the films to those from our own culture.

Class sessions are divided into an introductory lecture, the screening of the film, and discussion of the film and related readings.

Students are expected to attend class regularly, to do all assignments, to carefully screen the films, and to participate in the discussion of the films and of the readings.

In addition, students are to make an oral presentation to the class, involving the discussion of a film of their choice from a number of titles listed below. These films are on reserve at the Media Center. It is suggested that students start these projects early, so as not to crowd the second half of the semester. A handout with instructions is attached.

There will be a take-home final involving the analysis of a film, the draft for which should be handed in by November 22.

To provide students with an opportunity to express themselves in written German, a minimum of three questions provided in the hand-out for each film are to be answered in written form, DOUBLE-SPACED. These assignments should be handed in promptly, one week after each screening. No late assignments will be accepted.

Grading

Class participation, including discussion of the films and reading assignments....................................30%

Written assignments....................................30%

Oral Report ...........................................20%

Take-Home Final, due December 11 ..................... 20%

Required Text

Seidl, Claudius. Der deutsche Film der fuenfziger Jahre.

(photocopies on sale in the bookstore, one copy on reserve in the library).

Handouts

Semester Outline with List of Screening and Reading Assignments

September 6 Introduction

Screening of Maenner GR 565

Reading assignment for September 13:

Seidl, "Vom Truemmerhaufen zum Mauerbau,"

pp. 25-45.

September 13 Screening: Die Moerder sind unter uns GR 445

Reading assignment for September 20:

Seidl, "Das deutsche Genre: der Heimatfilm," pp. 52-102.

September 20 Topic: Heimatfilm

Discussion of readings

Die Maedels vom Immenhof GR 423

Reading assignment for September 27:

Seidl, "Der Arztfilm," pp. 103-121.

September 27 Topic: Arztfilm

Discussion of readings

Screening: Dr. Holl. GR 410

Reading assignment for October 4:

Seidl, "Der deutsche Gross-, Kostuem- und Abenteuerfilm," pp. 122-175.

October 4 Topic: Kostuemfilm

Discussion of readings

Screening: Sissi GR 397

Reading assignment for October 11:

Seidl, "Der Problemfilm," pp. 176-204.

October 11 Topic: Problemfilm

Discussion of readings

Screening: Im Innern des Wals GR 559

Reading assignment for October 18:

Seidl, "Der deutsche Film und die unbewaeltigte Nazivergangenheit," pp. 205-230.

October 18 Topic: Bewaeltigung der Nazivergangenheit Discussion of readings

Screening: Die Bruecke (Fischetti-owned)

No additional reading assignment.

October 25 Topic: Bewaeltigung der Nazivergangenheit

Screening: Die weisse Rose GR 480

Reading assignment for November 1:

Seidl, "Lustspiele und Revuefilme," pp. 248- 266.

November 1 Topic: Lustspiele

Discussion of readings

Screening: Schwarzwaldmaedel GR 563

No additional reading assignment

November 8 Topic: Lustspiele

Screening: Das Wirtshaus im Spessart GR 359

November 15 Reports

November 22 Reports and Final Exam draft due

November 29 Reports

December 6 Reports, Final Exam due

Filmliste fuer Referate

(On Reserve in the Media Center - Choose one)

1. Heimatfilme

GR 393 Der Foerster vom Silberwald (1954, directed by Alfons Stummer, starring Rudolf Lenz and Anita Gutwell)

GR 472 Die Foersterchristl (1952, directed by A.M. Rabenalt, starring Johanna Matz)

2. Arztfilme

GR 418 Ich suche Dich (1953, directed by O.W. Fischer, starring O.W. Fischer, Anouk Aimee, Nadja Tiller)

GR 415 Liebe ohne Illusion (1955, directed by Erich Engel, starring Curd Juergens, Heidemarie Hatheyer, Sonja Ziemann)

GR 406 Die Ehe des Dr. med. Dannwitz (1956, directed by A.M. Rabenalt, starring Marianne Koch and Karl-Heinz Boehm)

GR 403 Die Landaerztin (1958, directed by Paul May, starring Marianne Koch)

3. Kostuem- und Abenteuerfilme

GR 411 Ludwig II. (1954, directed by Helmut Kaeutner, starring O.W. Fischer and Ruth Leuwerik)

GR 430 Liane, das Maedchen aus dem Urwald (1956, directed by E. v. Borsody, starring Marion Michael and Hardy Krueger)

GR 473 Der Tiger von Eschnapur (1958, directed by Fritz Lang, starring Debra Paget and Paul Hubschmid)

GR 474 Das indische Grabmal (sequel to Der Tiger von Eschnapur, 1958, directed by Fritz Lang, starring Debra Paget and Paul Hubschmid)

(No. to be assigned) Das Totenschiff (1959, directed by Georg Tressler, starring Horst Buchholz, Mario Adorf, Elke Sommer)

4. Problemfilm

GR 519 Das Ende des Regenbogens (1979, directed by Uwe Friessner, starring Thomas Kufahl)

GR 348 Moritz, lieber Moritz (1977, directed by Hark Bohm, starring Michael Kebschull, Kyra Mladeck, Uwe Enckelmann, Dschingis Bowakow)

GR 355 Die letzten Jahre der Kindheit (1979, directed by Norbert Kueckelmann, starring Gerhard Gundel, Dieter Nustaffof, Leopoldine Schwankel)

GR 379 Christiane F.: Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo (1981, directed by Ulrich Edel, with Natja Brunckhorst, Thomas Haustein, Jens Kuphal u.a.)

6. Filme zur Nazivergangenheit

GR 405 Es geschah am 20. Juli (1955, directed by G.W. Pabst, starring Bernhard Wicki)

GR 381 Mephisto (1980, directed by Istvan Szabo, starring Klaus- Maria Brandauer)

6. Lustspiele

GR 367 Theo gegen den Rest der Welt (1980, directed by Peter F. Bringmann, starring Marius Mueller-Westerhagen)

GR 520 Otto, der Film (1985, directed by Xaver Schwarzenberger and Otto Waalkes, starring Otto Waalkes, Jessica Cardinal)

GR 349 Flammende Herzen (1977, directed by Walter Bockmeyer and Rolf Buehrmann, starring Peter Kern and Barbara Valentin)

VIEL SPASS UND GUTEN ERFOLG

SEE RENATE IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION, A SUGGESTION, OR ANYTHING ELSE YOU WISH TO SHARE. INQUIRE ABOUT THE HONORS PROGRAM. INQUIRE ABOUT THE GRADUATE PROGRAM. PARTICIPATE IN THE GERMAN CLUB!

Richtlinien fuer Referate

Richtlinien fuer Referate

I. Vorbereitungen:

1. Sehen Sie sich den Film Ihrer Wahl mindestens 2mal an.

2. Achten Sie auf Folgendes:

a. Was faellt auf an dem Film? (z.B. an der Handlung, der Darstellung, der Technik, was ist symbolisch, was ist realistisch, was ist falsch, etc.)

b. Was fuer eine Geschichte erzaehlt der Film?

c. Was ist stereotyp an der Geschichte?

d. Was ist stereotyp in der Darstellung -

der Charaktere?

des Schauplatzes?

des Zeitgeschehens?

e. Was ist sonst noch stereotyp?

f. Enthaelt der Film irgendwelche Momente, die auf echte Auseinandersetzung mit der Wirklichkeit deuten lassen?

g. Warum, meinen Sie, war der Film so erfolgreich?

h. Gefaellt Ihnen der Film? Warum? Warum nicht?

3. Bereiten Sie einen Zettel vor fuer die Klasse mit:

a. Daten zum Film

b. einer kurzen Zusammenfassung der Handlung

c. Daten zu den Filmschaffenden (benutzen Sie Nachschlagewerke in der Bibliothek)

d. Fragen, die Sie selbst formulieren fuer die Diskussion mit den anderen Kursteilnehmern.

II. Das eigentliche Referat:

1. Fuehren Sie den Film kurz ein (5-10 Minuten)

2. Verteilen Sie die Zettel

3. Zeigen Sie den Film oder einen Ausschnitt des Films.

4. Leiten Sie die Diskussion zum Film.

VIEL SPASS UND VIEL ERFOLG

Wenden Sie sich an Renate Fischetti, wenn Sie Fragen haben!