Axel Prahl

The true story of one of World War One's deadliest air aces comes to the screen in this historical drama. Manfred von Richthofen (Matthias Schweighoefer) became fascinated with flying when he was a boy, and as a young man he joins the German army and becomes part of their budding air force. Flying in a squadron with his best friend Werner Voss (Til Schweiger), von Richthofen is a pilot with a great talent for aerial battle, but he also has a sense of honor and fair play, and he and his cohorts often pay tribute to fallen opponent by dropping wreaths over the wreckage of their planes. When von Richthofen and Voss discover a Canadian pilot, Capt. Roy Brown (Joseph Fiennes), who has been stranded in German territory, they rescue the flier rather than leave an enemy soldier to die, and while bringing him to safety Manfred meets Kaete Otersdorf (Lena Headey), a military nurse who has devoted her life to helping those wounded by war. Manfred becomes deeply infatuated with Kaete, but while she is also taken with him, she cannot abide his open embrace of the blood sport of war, and even as he becomes one of Germany's most decorated pilots, downing nearly eight enemy planes, he comes to understand the true horror of war and the consequences of his actions. von Richthofen gains an even greater perspective on war when he encounters Capt. Brown one last time. Der Rote Baron (aka The Red Baron) was shot in both German and English language versions, with the same cast appearing in both. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

A financially devastated German town receives an encouraging boost with the arrival of a popular soccer star, though a heated love triangle threatens to overshadow the good vibes in this sexually liberated comedy from filmmaker Norbert Baumgarten. The arrival of soccer superstar Blondi has brought a wind of rejuvenation to the downtrodden eastern German town, but as the championship game draws near, the soccer team president's son, Micah, threatens his relationship with longtime girlfriend Sylvia by sleeping with her best friend. Incensed at her boyfriend's infidelity, Sylvia seduces Blondi on the eve of the championship game, leaving the whole town wondering just what has happened to their newfound lucky charm. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Karsten Laske's German drama Hundskoepfe (Dog Heads) is about a not-so-happy reunion of friends. Chrtistof (Arnd Klawitter), Stefan (Simon Werner), Joseph (Marko Brautigam), and Mirko (Axel Prahl) have been friends for years when they are hired to survey the land for a golf course. Christof's wife, Sylvia (Esther Esche), once loved another member of their group, Alexander. Sylvia learns that Alexander's death by drowning 14 years before may not have been an accident. Soon the friends can no longer trust one another. Dog Heads was screened at the Cottbus Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

A pair of couples in thier late 30s experience life in the small German burg of Frankfurt-Oder (near the Polish border) while struggling to make ends meet in this character driven comedy drama from director Andreas Dresen. Caterer Uxe (Axel Prahl) makes his meager living out of a small business located "halfway up the stairs" (which also serves as the literal English translation of the title) as the viewers bear witness to his daily struggles via cast-improvised scenes and by interviews with the main characters intercut with the narrative. Meanwhile, a pair of running gags concerning depressed DJ 'Magic' Chris (Thorsten Merten) and a band named 17 Hippies serve to lighten the mood of this Mike Leigh-influenced effort that was shot on digital-video. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

The heroes of Andreas Dresen's metropolitan elegy become dreamers when confronted by harsh reality. A farmer dreams of romantic love in a red light district; a homeless man and woman dream of finding a room for the night; and an aging businessman dreams of a big career, unaware that it is too late. All this happens on the night when the Pope arrives in Berlin! The film was shot in 47 night shifts and countless winter outdoor shoots, yet improvisation was always part of the action, such as the scene with actor Oliver Bassler, who was not forewarned he would be entering a sleazy hotel room. The hand-held camera and grainy film stock give the film authenticity and a tragi-comic touch. An example of radical cinema which blends passion and political awareness with a sincere approach, Nachtgestalten succeeds in delivering on the promise of the director's first feature, Silent Country (1992). Michael Gwisdek received the Silver Bear for Best actor for his role as Peschke, the aging businessman, at the 49th International Berlin Film Festival in 1999. ~ Gönül Dönmez-Colin, All Movie Guide