Monthly Archives: April 2014
Film Reviews: “Auf der anderen Seite” (The Edge of Heaven)
As part of their work in the Multicultural Germany undergraduate seminar at UC Berkeley, students in the course have reviewed recent German films relating in various ways to topics of migration, multiculturalism, and contemporary German identity. Ying Ruan and Ann Huang both reviewed Fatih Akin’s … Continue reading
“Auf der anderen Seite” Review by Traci Fitzharris
Auf der anderen Seite revolves around death; in fact, the movie is separated into chapters titled “Yeter’s Death,” “Lotte’s Death,” and “The Edge of Heaven.” The final chapter, lasting only the last half hour of the movie, is the only … Continue reading
“Auf der anderen Seite” Review by Ying Ruan
Auf der anderen Seite is a German-Turkish drama directed by Faith Akin in 2007. The movie follows stories of six people from either Germany or Turkey, presenting political and social issues faced by elder and younger generations of Turkish, Turkish-German … Continue reading
“Auf der anderen Seite” Review by Ann Huang
In his drama Auf der anderen Seite, released in 2007, Fatih Akin depicts the fatefully interwoven lives of six individuals: two mothers, two daughters, and a father and his son. Each filial pair, distinct in its respective place on the … Continue reading
Multicultural Germany Class: European Borders
This post is part of a series in which students reflect on their discussions in the UC Berkeley undergraduate seminar “Multicultural Germany.” This week’s summary is by Melissa Carlson: This past week, we started opening up our discussions on immigration, … Continue reading
Multicultural Germany Class: Multilingualism
This post is part of a series in which students reflect on their discussions in the UC Berkeley undergraduate seminar “Multicultural Germany.” This week’s summary is by Treasure Nguyen: During the tenth week of class we delved into language, exploring … Continue reading
Book Review: “Why the Child is Cooking the Polenta”
As part of their work for the Multicultural Germany undergraduate seminar at UC Berkeley, students in the course have reviewed recent German books relating in various ways to topics of migration, multiculturalism, and contemporary German identity. Ying Ruan reviewed Aglaja … Continue reading
Winterblume (Winter Flowers)
Seventeen years before, Mehmet Umut illegally immigrated from Turkey to Germany. His presence was tolerated there until he became unemployed. Fearing he would apply for welfare, policemen were sent to his apartment to roust him from his bed and have … Continue reading
Abgebrannt (Burnout)
Pelin, eine junge alleinerziehende Mutter aus dem Problemkiez Berlin-Wedding wird mit ihren drei Kindern von unterschiedlichen Vätern verschiedener Nationen,- Robby (9), Elvis (4) und Roxanne (19 Monate),- zur Mutter-Kind-Kur in einen landschaftlich paradiesischen Kurort nach Norddeutschland verschickt. Die Kur soll … Continue reading
Der Unfall (The Accident)
Der spanische Gastarbeiter Abél wird schwer verletzt mit eingeschlagenem Schädel in einer Baugrube gefunden. Sein Bruder Paco kommt nichtsahnend einen Tag später nach Köln. Ohne Kenntnisse der deutschen Sprache muss er sich durchschlagen und wird schnell mit Vorurteilen konfrontiert. Nachdem … Continue reading
Multicultural Germany Class: Multiple Tongues
This post is part of a series in which students reflect on their discussions in the UC Berkeley undergraduate seminar “Multicultural Germany.” This week’s summary is by Jenelle Mathews: This week in class was a continuation of last week’s topic, Multiple … Continue reading
Book Review: “The Passport”
UC Berkeley undergraduate Preethi Kandhalu reviewed Herta Müller’s 1986 novel “Der Mensch ist ein grosser Fasan auf der Welt” (The Passport): The Passport presents the story of Windisch, a miller who lives in the Socialist Republic of Romania with his wife and … Continue reading
Book Review: “Septembertee”
As part of their work for the Multicultural Germany undergraduate seminar at UC Berkeley, students in the course have reviewed recent German books relating in various ways to topics of migration, multiculturalism, and contemporary German identity. Julia Schroeder reviewed Renan … Continue reading
Ferien (Vacation)
Sommer. Ein abgelegenes Landhaus in der Uckermark. Umgeben und verborgen durch einen Wald. In diesem weltabgeschiedenen Refugium lebt Anna (Angela Winkler) mit ihrem Mann Robert (Wigand Witting) und ihrem Sohn Max (Amir Hadzic). Im Verlauf eines Sommers kommen in dem … Continue reading
Evet, Ich will!
The movie revolves around three different couples who have to overcome familial and cultural obstacles to be with their ones they love. A man looking for a bride-for-hire also learns the hard way that expectations and reality do not always … Continue reading
