Films: 2006

Heartbeats

The Life of Erwin Fischer

When 60 year-old Erwin Fischer is not fishing in Spain´s Ebro reservoir, he´s at home in Teisendorf breeding birds. The fun-loving hobby fisherman was a soldier with the German armed forces until a sudden heart attack at the age of 45, forced him to make fundamental changes to his life. Seriously ailing, he was given his pension and packed off into early retirement. He attributes the fact that he is still alive today to a heart transplant. Erwin has been living with his new heart, which came from a 20 year-old motorcyclist, for ten years now. He´s a tough cookie,… 2006, BR, 45 min

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Holidays in Barn

Every day 15-year old Markus goes to Farmer Ebert´s farm, the last of its kind in the village. The farm is like a romantic island which has a magic pull over Markus. There´s a dog, chickens, pigs, a tractor and three horses. Markus is particularly drawn to the horses. After he has done his homework, he helps the farmer with his work, whether it is harvesting potatoes, in the pigsty or in the paddock. They are an unlikely couple who benefit from one another and give the film its sunny charm. 2006, BR, 45 min

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I love Deutschland!

What is typically German? Plants that grow to a uniform height in garden colonies? The erotic pull of brand new cars? In four episodes, American comedian John Doyle sets off to explore the astonishing world of German idiosyncrasies as only a foreigner can. As an outsider looking in, he lovingly picks the Germans and their habits apart. 'I love Deutschland!' is funny and light-hearted, never serious and heavy. 2006, WDR, 4 x 30 min

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Metropolis – The Bright Cities of the Dark Ages

“Metropolis II” takes a fascinating time journey into the past, visiting three remarkable medieval cities: Constantinople – Venice – Paris. Each of these played a significant role in the emergence of Europe through the clash between Christianity and Islam. Constantinople, the self-declared successor of the Roman Empire, institutionalizes the bitter conflict of the two faiths. But the magnificent city finally falls into the hands of the Osmans. Venice profits greatly from the confrontation between Christianity and Islam. Its role in the Crusades leads to the city’s emergence as the dominant Mediterranean naval power. The final film takes the viewer to… 2006, ZDF, 3 x 43/52 min

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School is finished - what now?

Full steam ahead towards the working life

Germany’s economic spirits are flying low but the unemployment rate is higher than ever. How is a graduate supposed to get a job these days? In School is finished - what now? Dominique Klughammer poses this question to three very different protagonists. Chanel, 15, is struggling to pass her school exams - on the list of potentially unemployed candidates she comes out top. Henriette, 20, has successfully finished an apprenticeship but lives in Chemnitz, an area which does not offer many jobs. Hans-Peter, a recent graduate from law school, has to compete with thousands of others with the same qualifications.… 2006, ZDF, 30 min

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