The juxtaposition of moments in time, such as one person experiencing immense joy and another hitting rock bottom, or someone dying while someone else is being born, has always been an intriguing concept in film. But there’s a certain finesse that goes into making each separate vignette engaging — and in some cases, even urgent — so that these slivers of tales resonate with the audience. Unfortunately, “Berlin, I Love You” lacks that essential finesse.
This fourth installment of the “Cities of Love” franchise centers on Berlin and, like the other segments, tells ten not-so-interwoven stories that illuminate various themes including love and loss. There’s the woman (Keira Knightley) who takes in an abandoned Arabic child, much to the chagrin of her disapproving mother (Helen Mirren). There’s also the Hollywood actor (Luke Wilson) grappling with his stagnant career and looking for something, or someone, who can exhilarate him once again.
This fourth installment of the “Cities of Love” franchise centers on Berlin and, like the other segments, tells ten not-so-interwoven stories that illuminate various themes including love and loss. There’s the woman (Keira Knightley) who takes in an abandoned Arabic child, much to the chagrin of her disapproving mother (Helen Mirren). There’s also the Hollywood actor (Luke Wilson) grappling with his stagnant career and looking for something, or someone, who can exhilarate him once again.
- 2/6/2019
- by Candice Frederick
- The Wrap
Review by Peter BelsitoThe film is a deeply felt yet unsentimental, often wry look at a group of Jewish friends — all Nazi-era survivors — who, in 1946 Frankfurt, unite to sell high-end linens to raise the funds to emigrate to America. Not your typical Holocaust-inspired drama.
These clever door-to-door peddlers, led by David Bermann (a superb Moritz Bleibtreu), whose family’s once-thriving linen store was seized by the Nazis and now stands in ruins provide an interesting context in which the filmmakers build an interesting deeply felt story.
David is suspected of collaboration with the Nazis and is questioned by tough, cold and very attractive American Army investigator, Sara (Antje Traue), who suggeststhat David, whose parents and brothers perished at Auschwitz, may have been working with the Nazis.
These interrogation sessions give way to flashbacks of how the jokey David, while imprisoned in a concentration camp, was plucked by its loathsome...
These clever door-to-door peddlers, led by David Bermann (a superb Moritz Bleibtreu), whose family’s once-thriving linen store was seized by the Nazis and now stands in ruins provide an interesting context in which the filmmakers build an interesting deeply felt story.
David is suspected of collaboration with the Nazis and is questioned by tough, cold and very attractive American Army investigator, Sara (Antje Traue), who suggeststhat David, whose parents and brothers perished at Auschwitz, may have been working with the Nazis.
These interrogation sessions give way to flashbacks of how the jokey David, while imprisoned in a concentration camp, was plucked by its loathsome...
- 4/25/2018
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Bye Bye Germany screens Wednesday, November 8th at 9:15pm and Friday November 10th as part of this year’s St. Louis International Film Festival. Both screenings are at The Plaza Frontenac.
In 1946 Frankfurt, David Bermann (Moritz Bleibtreu of “Run Lola Run” and “Munich”) and his Jewish friends have escaped the Nazi regime and are now dreaming of leaving for America. But how will they get the money in these tough postwar times? The smooth-talking businessman focuses on what the Germans now need most: fine bed linens nicely wrapped in amusing stories! The six talented entertainers go from home to home, praising housewives until the flattered ladies have no choice but to buy their irresistible items. Business flourishes and a bright new future can be seen on the horizon. But questions about Bermann’s past catch up with him: Could he have collaborated with the Nazis? The smart, uncompromising U.
In 1946 Frankfurt, David Bermann (Moritz Bleibtreu of “Run Lola Run” and “Munich”) and his Jewish friends have escaped the Nazi regime and are now dreaming of leaving for America. But how will they get the money in these tough postwar times? The smooth-talking businessman focuses on what the Germans now need most: fine bed linens nicely wrapped in amusing stories! The six talented entertainers go from home to home, praising housewives until the flattered ladies have no choice but to buy their irresistible items. Business flourishes and a bright new future can be seen on the horizon. But questions about Bermann’s past catch up with him: Could he have collaborated with the Nazis? The smart, uncompromising U.
- 11/6/2017
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Film Movement has acquired Sam Garbarski's Bye Bye Germany, a dramedy about Jewish businessmen in post-wwii Germany, for North America.
Moritz Bleibtreu (World War Z, Run Lola Run) stars in Bye Bye Germany as David Bermann, a smooth-taking huckster who, as the only member of his family to survive the Holocaust, concocts a plan to raise money to emigrate to the United States. He leads a group of similarly-minded Jewish businessmen as they struggle to make a buck while dealing with the trauma of what they just lived through.
The film premiered at the Berlin Film Festival this year.
“Not...
Moritz Bleibtreu (World War Z, Run Lola Run) stars in Bye Bye Germany as David Bermann, a smooth-taking huckster who, as the only member of his family to survive the Holocaust, concocts a plan to raise money to emigrate to the United States. He leads a group of similarly-minded Jewish businessmen as they struggle to make a buck while dealing with the trauma of what they just lived through.
The film premiered at the Berlin Film Festival this year.
“Not...
- 6/22/2017
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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