Recommended for A2 and equivalent level German
This interactive study day will explore issues around the divided Germany and the effects the political situation had on ordinary people. There will be an introduction to the film in German and after the screening, students will be encouraged to reflect on the film and develop their German speaking skills.
Led by Maggie Hoffgen, Freelance Film Lecturer
Screening: Lagerfeuer (West) (15)
Dir Christian Schwochow / Germany 2013 / 102 mins / In German with English Subtitles / Jördis Triebel / Tristan Göbel / Alexander Scheer
East Germany. Summer, late 70’s. Nelly Senff decides to leave for West Germany with her son Alexej. Three years after her Russian boyfriend and Alexej’s father Wassilij’s apparent death she wants to leave her difficult memories and past behind and start a new life in the West. But soon her past starts to haunt her as Western Secret Services begin to question Wassilij’s mysterious disappearance. Is he still alive? Was he a spy? Plagued by her past and fraught with anxiety, Nelly is forced to choose between discovering the truth about her former lover and her hopes for a better tomorrow. Alexej’s need for a father brings things to a head.
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