AEGEE CWG Movie Library Vol2 by Sabina CWG

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Foreward Hello dear AEGEEans, The idea for a Movie Library came to the Culture Working Group a few months ago as a way to promote our own cultural identity and to help others better understand who we are and where we are coming from. We asked for your help in accomplishing this goal and thanks to you we were able to put together 4 volumes, totalling 80 movies. Thank you to all those who took the time to answer our survey and help us find great movies to watch in the future. Also a big thank you to the rest of the team:Danae Matakou from Sabina Guja AEGEE-Athina and Dionìs Koçi from AEGEE-Turin. Without your help, this project would have been much more difficult. Finally, if you feel that there are more movies that should be included in this list, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are still looking for great movies (comedy, romance, action, thriller, horror what ever you want), that represent your countries, they way you and your people see them. The only request is that these movies represent something notable in your culture, history, social life. They don’t really need to be new or Danae Matakou blockbuster hits, but good movies from any year. If you wish to contribute further to this project write us an e-mail at cwgmovies@yahoo.com answering these questions:  What is the title of the movie (original and translated)?  What year was it released in?  What genre is it?  Did it win any awards? Dionìs Koçi  Please write a short summary  Who is the director?  Who are the main actors?  Is there a trailer for the movie?  Why should we see it? Your answers will be introduced in the second edition of the volumes, to further complete the project. Happy viewing, Sabina Guja, AEGEE-Cluj-Napoca

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In this volume Foreward ......................................................................................................................................... 3 In this volume ................................................................................................................................. 4 Germany.......................................................................................................................................... 5 Greece ........................................................................................................................................... 17 Hungary......................................................................................................................................... 23 Italy ............................................................................................................................................... 31 Other volumes ............................................................................................................................... 48

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Germany

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Original title: Das Wunder von Bern (The Miracle of

Bern)

Year: 2003 Genre: Drama/ Sport/ Comedy Awards: Prix du Public UBS at Locarno International Film Festival (2003) Deutscher Filmpreis for Best Picture (Silver) (2004) Bavarian Film Award (2004) Summary of movie: The movie is about the German championship-winning football team of 1954. The movie is also about two more stories. One is about the family of a young boy that was split due to the events of World War II; eleven years later, the father returns from Russia and his problems of getting back The second story is about a reporter and his wife during the championship. Director: Sรถnke Wortmann Main actors: Louis Klamroth Peter Lohmeyer Johanna Gastdorf Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zShAWruJiGA (trailer) Why you should see it: Even though or rather because it is more of a family drama than of a thrilling sports movie, it achieves to entertain as well as touch the spectators for two solid hours. Actually, the family story is perfectly integrated in the circumstances of 1954's football world-cup and shows in a very sensitive way the changes that this game have on the focused family in special and on the whole of Germany - which is still depressed by the misery caused by the second world war. This movie perfectly holds the balance between sad and joyful scenes, which together with a decent sense of humor, never lets the story drift to one side. The spectators can truly feel the emotions of the well played characters of the family members and their progress throughout the events. Finally, the movie leads into a satisfying end without getting trashy. 7

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Original title: Der Untergang (Downfall) Year: 2004 Genre: Drama/ Biography/ War Awards: Academy Award Nomination for Best Foreign Language Film (2005) Summary of movie: Traudl Junge, then 24 years old and the personal secretary to Adolf Hitler, recounts the two weeks that followed 20th April 1945, the day of Hitler's 56th birthday. Germany stands at the brink of defeat with the Soviet Armies closing in from the West and South. In Berlin, Adolf Hitler proclaims that Germany will still win and orders his Generals and advisers to fight to the last man. The movie explores these final days of the Reich, where senior German leaders began defecting from their beloved F端hrer, in an effort to save their own lives, while others pledged to die with Hitler. Director: Oliver Hirschbiegel Main actors: Bruno Ganz Alexandra Maria Lara Ulrich Matthes Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giSdX58um9E (trailer) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRiuJPN7lS0 (movie) Why you should see it: This film is definitely a must-see because of the incomparable degree of realism displayed in it. Direction, camera and acting are of an unparalleled level and make you, as the viewer, feel as if you are actually in Berlin, and in the F端hrer's bunker. Bruno Ganz's interpretation of Adolf Hitler is worthy of an Oscar and the rest of the cast performs admirably. The movie balances well between large-scale effects of bombs exploding in ruined streets and depictions of different persons going though the horror .The movie is neither pro-Nazi nor does it depict all Nazis as mindless monsters. It gives an impression of utter realism. 9

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Original title: Bang Boom Bang - Ein todsicheres Ding (Bang Boom Bang ) Year: 1999 Genre: Action/ Comedy/ Crime Awards: Bavarian Film Awards for Filmproduction (2000) Summary of movie: Life couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be better for bank robber Keek. His buddy Kalle is doing time for their last theft, while Keek has to keep the loot. Kalle will spend two more years in jail, so Keek is not really bothered by the fact that he has lost most of the money betting on horse races. But then Kalle watches a porn video 'starring' his girlfriend and he breaks free to take revenge. Suddenly, Keek is in desperate need of cash and even the weirdest schemes seem promising. Director: Peter Thorwarth Main actors: Oliver Korittke Markus KnĂźfken Ralf Richter Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BZS2JaNO18 (trailer) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu40l-FfCvs (movie) Why you should see it: Great actors, even the supporting roles. Great performances: Oliver Korittke, Diether Krebs, Martin Semmelrogge as the dim-witted Schlucke, and best of all, Ralf Richter. Good story with appropriate twists and turns, but not too sophisticated, and a grandiose directing - nothing else to be said. It's really a jewel of German humour.

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Original title: Das Leben der Anderen (The life of others) Year: 2006 Genre: Drama/ Thriller Awards: Won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film (2007) Won BAFTA for Best Film Not in the English Language (2008) Summary of movie: In the early 1980s, Georg Dreyman (a successful playwright) and his longtime companion Christa-Maria Sieland (a popular actress), were huge intellectual stars in (former) East Germany, although they secretly didn’t always follow the party line. One day, the Minister of Culture becomes interested in Christa, so the secret service agent Wiesler is instructed to observe and record the couple, but their life fascinates him more and more. Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck Main actors: Martina Gedeck Ulrich Mühe Sebastian Koch Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FppW5ml4vdw (trailer) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Veag-ptUkXI (movie) Why you should see it: ‘Das Leben der Anderen’ is a recent but also very famous movie that got a lot attention and won an Oscar for the best non English movie. It deals with an important part of late (East) German history. By the begin of the eighties, several hundred thousands of East German civilians were recruited as informants and worked next to their normal life or fulltime jobs as spies for the secret service. Some of them were forced, some of them chose it as easier way to cope with the system, and some of them absolutely believed in the system. Most people only fully realized this after the reunification, and now, when the files are public, it's a shock for many to find out that they have been spied upon and sometimes even by people they considered their peers or friends. 13

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Original title: Die Feuerzangenbowle (The punch bowl) Year: 1944 Genre: Comedy Awards: Summary of movie: Hans Pfeiffer and some of his friends are drinking "Feuerzangenbowle". Talking about their school-time they discover that Hans never was at a regular school and so, as they think, missed an important part of his youth. They decide to send him back to school to do all the things he could never do before. Director: Helmut Weiss Main actors: Heinz Rühmann Karin Himboldt Hilde Sessak Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_0w-HUVPlA (movie) Why you should see it: ‘Die Feuerzangenbowle’ is probably not considered important cultural heritage by many, but it is part of a popular student tradition in Germany. Students all over Germany gather each winter to watch the movie together, either privately or together in lecture halls, drink the Feuerzangenbowle after which the movie is name, and while watching the movie, reenact part of it or speak the lines of it. The film also features one of the most famous German actors, Heinz Rühmann, who played in a huge number of movies and was probably the most famous actor of his time.

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Greece

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Original title: Politiki Kouzina (A touch of Spice) Year: 2003 Genre: Comedy/ Drama Awards: Won several awards at The Thessaloniki Film Festival (2003) Summary of movie: "A Touch of Spice" is a story about a young Greek boy (Fanis) growing up in Istanbul, whose grandfather, a culinary philosopher and mentor teaches him that both food and life require a little salt to give them flavor; they both require... A Touch of Spice. Fanis grows up to become an excellent cook and uses his cooking skills to spice up the lives of those around him. 35 years later he leaves Athens and travels back to his birthplace of Istanbul to reunite with his grandfather and with his first love; he travels back only to realize that he forgot to put a little bit of spice in his own life. Director: Tassos Boulmetis Main actors: Georges Corraface Ieroklis Michaelidis Renia Louizidou Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_x7vtw9KUI (trailer) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N47fdQwEjwI (movie) Why you should see it: The movie touches on subjects that by many can be considered wrong to talk about and presents them in the nicest way. The political turmoil as well as the relationships of people living in Polis (Istanbul) are highlighted and the key figures, although play minor roles in the events that happen around them, still steal the interest by presenting how simple yet "rich" in taste their life was. The movie is easy on the eyes, it's touching and it's well written. And, amazingly, it deals with Greek-Turkish relationships without passing blame: it provides the facts but avoids passing judgment. Plus amazing soundtrack from the lovely Evanthia Reboustika. 19

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Original title: El Greco (El Greco) Year: 2007 Genre: Biography/ Drama Awards: Won several awards at The Thessaloniki Film Festival (2007) Won Cairo International Film Festival for Best Actor (2008) Summary of movie: This is the story of the uncompromising artist and fighter for freedom, Domenicos Theotokopoulos, known to the world as "El Greco". Director: Yannis Smaragdis Main actors: Nick Ashdon Lakis Lazopoulos Dimitra Matsouka Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqB4IBj6dGg (trailer) Why you should see it: Just as this film has a lot of elements that can easily make it aspire to greatness, it is not without visible flaws and weak moments. Nonetheless in the end, it rises above its own flaws, leaving a very positive after-taste. For people waiting to explore the artist's character in-depth, understand his passions or his motivation, or admire a kaleidoscope that unlocks the artist's mind to the viewer, disappointment awaits at the corner, because this film does not explore those elements to a satisfactory level. Nonetheless, the film does not really boast any of that, to start with. The story of it is staged early and very deliberately in the scheme of a broader conflict between light and darkness, and the portrayal of the artist is shown almost entirely through that prism. And it delivers this very well. The music is great, of course, and adds a lot of value to the film. The scenes are seamless and tie well with each other and the narrative that goes on in the background. The scenery is also attractive and adds a lot of character.

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Hungary

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Original title:

Moszkva tér (Moscow Square) Year:

2001 Genre:

Comedy/ Drama/ Romance Awards: Won several awards at the Hungarian Film Week Summary of movie:

1989 is an important year in the political history of Hungary. However, Petya and his friends couldn't care less. They are about to graduate high school. The only important things for them are the parties, girls, making some easy cash. And of course, passing the upcoming exam with the leaked questions. Director: Ferenc Török Main actors: Gábor Karalyos Erzsi Pápai Eszter Balla Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyhZb91QxXU (trailer) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4Ma6QG9rL0 (movie) Why you should see it: This film is excellent in so many ways, it is priceless. It illustrates youth apathy and confusion under both the communist system and during the post-communist transformation better than any other film. It follows some teen friends around Hungary, etc., while the transformation comes about. It is absolutely priceless and should be mandatory viewing in any social science classes on post-socialist transformation - stellar, stellar, stellar film!

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Original title: Csinibaba (Pretty Baby) Year: 1997 Genre: Comedy/ Musical Awards: Won the Grand Prize at Hungarian Film Week (1997) Summary of movie:

In 1962, when Gagarin flew into space and the third world war almost broke out, nothing happened in Hungary and it looked like nothing will for another 30 years. And to ensure that nothing actually happens, Uncle Simon, the commissioner of the block, is there to constantly protect the socialist order and ethic. Director: Péter Tímár Main actors: János Gálvölgyi Sándor Almási Anita Tóth Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy5QRFbXrUA (trailer) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUjQ2Oo-DuU (movie) Why you should see it: Lovely musical parody of the communist Kádár era in Hungary. The film is full of references to the period, to its patterns of thinking, to its propaganda. (Like the rumors - spread by the communist propaganda of the 50s and early 60s - that Chesterfield cigarettes contain cocaine and coke is a psychoactive drug.) The songs are also from this period - this gives "Csinibaba" (Pretty Baby, also a song title) a nostalgic touch, but tinted with irony at the same time: now we can laugh about this era - at last! This probably explains the huge success of this film in Hungary. (The backdrop of the plot - the Ki mit tud? (Who knows/is able to do what?) talent search show - of 1962 really did take place.) I don't think this film misunderstands the era, it just doesn't take it too seriously. Instead, it uses the means of humor and irony to free us from the past. 27

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Original title: Taxidermia (Taxidermia) Year: 2005 Genre: Comedy/ Drama/ Horror Awards: Won several awards at Hungarian Film Week (2006) Best Feature Film at Chicago International Film Festival (2006) Won big prizes in several festivals Summary of movie: Gyorgy Palfi's grotesque tale of three generations of men, including an obese speed eater, an embalmer of gigantic cats, and a man who shoots fire out of his penis. Director: Gyรถrgy Pรกlfi Main actors: Csaba Czene Gergely Trรณcsรกnyi Marc Bischoff Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_TReXQ_K1M (trailer) Why you should see it: Through chronicling the lives of three generations of one family (a soldier from the Second World War, a sportsman and a taxidermist) each is shown to have their own perverse and distorted lifestyle which is cleverly exhibited through (among other approaches), myriad masturbation, excessive gluttony, deformation, dismemberment and taxidermy. Some would argue that Taxidermia is a gory, violent and unnecessarily eccentric film but it is all necessary in serving its narrative and is not present for titillation purposes - as is so often found in some of the more contemporary European cinema. Taxidermia tells of a society in which defect, sleaze and dishonesty serves its creators own personal vision or goal to further themselves and that this search justifies everything, regardless of how twisted or harmful.

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Italy

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Original title: Io non ho paura (I'm Not Scared) Year: 2003 Genre: Crime/ Drama/ Mystery Awards: Nominated for Golden Bear at Berlin International Film Festival (2003) Many other awards and nominations Summary of movie: A young boy accidentally discovers a deep hole in the ground, where another boy is kept prisoner. Director: Gabriele Salvatores Main actors: Giuseppe Cristiano Aitana S谩nchez-Gij贸n Dino Abbrescia Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atLGsOg6lBY (trailer) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP1ATTYjdxc (movie) Why you should see it: A story of crime in the poor rural Italy of the south in the '70s, a great and touching movie about childhood.

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Original title: Ecce bombo (Behold the Bumblebee) Year: 1978 Genre: Comedy Awards: Nominated for Palme dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Or at Cannes Film Festival (1978) Summary of movie: This non-narrative, sketch-based film is a non-stop feast of antic and black humour. The sketches are framed within the context of a Roman student's school year, which is disrupted by political and amorous misadventures. Director: Nanni Moretti Main actors: Nanni Moretti Luisa Rossi Lina Sastri Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asmOOr15rB0 (trailer) Why you should see it: A political-satirical movie of one of the most absurd director Italy has.Iit's really funny but it wasn't meant to be so.

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Original title: Romanzo criminale (Criminal novel) Year: 2003 Genre: Drama Awards: Won at several festivals Summary of movie: Set in the 1970s, it's the story of three lifelong friends who take control of organized crime in Rome. Director: Michele Placido Main actors: Kim Rossi Stuart Anna Mouglalis Pierfrancesco Favino Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7970XJ_HKk (trailer) Why you should see it: Take a large period of Italian history and connect it to the story of a criminal organization based in Rome that really existed.

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Original title: Amici Miei (My Friends) Year: 1975 Genre: Comedy Awards: Won at Italian festivals Summary of movie: Necchi (a bar owner), Perozzi (a journalist), Melandri (an architect) and Mascetti (a broken nobleman) live in Florence. They have been friends since their youth and spend every free moment together organizing complex and terrible jokes or just wondering through Turcany. One of these crazy trips ends up in the hospital run by military-like Professor Sassaroli. Melandri falls in love with his wife, and steals her from the husband. The relationship doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t last but the Professor becomes the fifth member of the team of friends, and jokes get even more complicated. Director: Mario Monicelli Main actors: Ugo Tognazzi Gastone Moschin Philippe Noiret Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPyyNaYpqf8 (trailer) Why you should see it: A movie that presents many of the typical aspects of Italian society of the middle classes. In the film there are all the elements that characterize the typical average Italian, the trickster, the bungling, the passionate etc.

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Original title: Il buono, il brutto e il cattivo (The good, the bad and the ugly) Year: 1966 Genre: Western Awards: Summary of movie: A bounty hunter joins two men in an uneasy alliance against a third in a race to find a fortune in gold buried in a remote cemetery. Director: Sergio Leone Main actors: Clint Eastwood Eli Wallach Lee Van Cleef Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byyDaThdKb4 (trailer) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVe_heQDaKI (movie) Why you should see it: A movie that is a symbol of the Spaghetti Western, it's famous all over the world, probably because of the director or for the music. Anyway it is another perspective on Western movies and made famous actor Clint Eastwood. A lot of scenes of this movie are now a cult and imitated by a lot of directors.

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Original title: La vita Ă¨ bella (Life is beautiful) Year: 1997 Genre: Comedy/ Drama Awards: Won 3 Oscars for Best Actor, Best Foreign Language Film, Best Music (1999) Won a BAFTA Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (1999) Won many other awards at festivals Summary of movie: A Jewish man has a manages to live in a Nazi death camp with the help of his humour. All his efforts are directed towards protecting his sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life and innocence from the horrors of the camp. Director: Roberto Benigni Main actors: Roberto Benigni Nicoletta Braschi Giorgio Cantarini Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pysuUJhOnv4 (trailer) Why you should see it: Doesn't need any description: I think that cannot exist a mixture of comedy and drama in other movies like in that one.

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Original title: Banditi a Orgosolo (Bandits in Orgosolo) Year: 1961 Genre: Drama Awards: The director won the award for Best First Work at the Venice Film Festival Summary of movie: Michele, a shepherd of Orgosolo unfairly charged with rustling and murder, is forced to take to the hills. In his flight into the inaccessible areas of Barbagia, where there is neither water nor pastures, he loses every sheep in his flock. One night, desperate because he is full of debts, and with impending trials up ahead, he goes into the sheepfold of another shepherd and, at gunpoint, steals every sheep. Michele has become a bandit. Director: Vittorio De Seta Main actors: Michele Cossu Peppeddu Cuccu Vittorina Pisano Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5oNSwCmMhA (trailer) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if-LDzSzHwA (movie) Why you should see it: It is a film very explicative about the Sardinian life in these years.

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Original title: Bellas Mariposas (Beautiful Butterflies) Year: 2012 Genre: Drama Awards: Won several awards at international film festivals Summary of movie: Cate lives on the outskirts of Cagliari with her many brothers and sisters and a good-for-nothing father. She wants to get out and dreams of becoming a singer, not wanting to end up like her sister, Mandarina, pregnant at thirteen, or like Samantha, the neighbourhood slut. Gigi, her neighbour is the only one worthy of her love. Today, the 3rd August, Gigi‘s life is in danger. One of Cate’s brothers, Tonio, wants to kill him. Meanwhile, Cate and her best friend Luna, pass the longest day of their lives, between their neighbourhood, the sea, and the streets of the city centre. As the evening draws to a close, all seems lost, but, out of nowhere a beautiful woman appears, the “coga” Aleni, a witch who can read the future. Director: Salvatore Mereu Main actors: Sara Podda Maya Mulas Davide Todde Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGlYrYBhNgQ (trailer) Why you should see it: For the use of Gadda and Pasolini dialects, both representative of Sardinian life.

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Other volumes Volume 1 Albania Austria Belgium Czech Republic France Volume 2 Germany Greece Hungary Italy Volume 3 Latvia| Macedonia The Netherlands Norway Republic of Moldova Romania Volume 4 Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Turkey

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