2nd German Film Week

An interesting lineup of films that presents the breadth of contemporary German cinema makes up the 2017 German Film Week organized by the Goethe-Institut Philippinen. Following its successful launch last year, the festival will once again offer a diverse selection of films for audiences, in their goal of promoting German language and culture.

The festival draws film fans and students from all over the Philippines, as well as filmmakers, press, and industry leaders. This year’s slate of films were carefully selected among the latest releases in Germany, some of which have already been receiving numerous awards in international film festivals. “We are truly excited to unveil this year’s films and new voices to Philippine audiences,” said Dr. Ulrich Nowak, the director of the Goethe-Institut Philippinen. “Whether mainstream, romantic comedies, or micro-budget indies, we made sure our festival attendees will be entertained and pleased.”

Adding to the German contemporary films, this year’s German Film Week will also feature works of acclaimed Filipino filmmaker, Brillante Mendoza. His films Tirador (Slingshot) and Captive will be screened during the week-long festival. Both films have been recognized internationally, with the latter having been screened at a previous Berlin International Film Festival, the prestigious Berlinale. On one of these screenings, a Film Appreciation Session will follow wherein audiences will get to meet and speak with the multi-awarded director. “The Brillante Mendoza screenings are an addition to this year’s program,” said Dr. Nowak. “Our goal at the institute has always been to promote cultural exchange between Germany and the countries we support. And this is one way to achieve that goal—to share German features and highlight Filipino creativity.”

The German Film Week opening night takes place at the SM Mall of Asia Cinema 1 on Sept 27 and will have as its guest German filmmaker Markus Goller, director of My Brother Simple (Simpel, 2017) which opens this year’s festivities. Goller, whom the Goethe-Institut is flying in especially for the occasion, will hold a Q&A after his film’s screening. The succeeding film screenings will run from September 28 to October 5 at SM Mall of Asia and SM North EDSA for Metro Manila. Subsequent screenings will take place in the Clark, Cebu and Davao in October.

Film Line-up:

My Brother Simple / Simpel (2017)
Toni Erdmann (2016)
Old Agent Men / Kundschafter des Friedens (2017)
Return to Montauk / Rückkehr nach Montauk (2017)
My Blind Date with Life / Mein Blind Date mit dem Leben (2017)
The Bloom of Yesterday / Die Blumen von gestern (2016)
You’ve Got a Message / SMS für Dich (2016)
Welcome to Germany / Willkommen bei den Hartmanns (2016)
The World of the Wunderlichs / Die Welt der Wunderlichs (2016)
Happy Burnout (2017)
Marija – Der Film (2016)
Fog in August / Nebel im August (2016)

Featured films by Brillante Mendoza:

Captive (2012)
Slingshot / Tirador (2007)

Tickets to the 2017 GERMAN FILM WEEK are priced at 100Php for all German films and 200Php for the Brillante Mendoza movies. The opening screening on September 27 is free and open to all on a first-come-first-served basis. Tickets may be purchased at the cinema counters of participating SM malls or via smtickets.com.

As a boon to the filmgoers, the Goethe-Institut is giving away special prizes for those who would vote for their favorite film on-line via the Goethe website. Called “VOTE AND WIN”, the raffle contest will select random voters who would get a gift package from the Goethe-Institut.

The German Film Week is made possible through the partnership with SM Lifestyle Malls and SM Cinemas and the support of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. For more information, visit Goethe.de/Manila.