Import//Export

Following my recent interest into German film, I found another title that I'd like to share with you... Import Export directed by Ulrich Seidl (Granted it's actually an Austrian film, but it is filmed in the German and Ukrainian languages).

The film is an arthouse production that see's two unhappy characters cross between Austria and the Ukraine. Whilst they never meet, you feel a strong empathy for both of them throughout the film.

I have to say that the film is somewhat disturbing and even genuinely frightening in places, particularly where Seidl has filmed elderly patients in hospital at the end of their life. I found this upsetting and even distasteful as they could surely not have been able to give their consent to be filmed in such a way.

Having said this, the film was gripping and I found myself thinking about it for the next few days in much greater detail.

So my verdict is - watch it, but watch it in a good mood - otherwise you might find your mood taking a nose-dive.

Back in the Baltic... Again...

So here it is again... Tallinn... AND IT'S SUNNY!!

Such a beautiful city thats quickly becoming my favorite getaway spot. This time it was summer and the nights stay light - REALLY light!

Taken at midnight - this is about as dark as it ever gets in summer. Not only that, but I could still sit outside in a t-shirt untill the early hours as the sun keeps it warm! - AMAZING!!

A little different from the last time I saw it and everything was covered in snow! The old town is BEAUTIFUL at this time of year!!

My other Tallinn Posts... March 2011

Oh... and in case you were wondering...

I'm having German lessons for my birthday - hence why so many of my recent posts have had a Deutsch influence!!

Goodbye Lenin!

OK so in my last post I said that the German film Mannerherzen was at the top of my must-see list, but when I was watching the trailer, I stumbled across this. Goodbye Lenin is a moving comedy about a woman who suffers a hear attack just before the fall of the Berlin wall and wakes up from a coma eight months later when her family have to convince her that nothing has happened.

It stars Daniel Bruhl (of Inglorious Basterds fame). You must see this film - its epic!

Berlin, You Are Wonderful... Ich Liebe Berlin!

This is the video for the song Wonderful by Gary Go, filmed on a Berlin rooftop with some great shots of the city and its people... The song was used as part of the production soundtrack to the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf. I think it's a really uplifting and empowering song...

The song was made popular in Germany after it was used on the soundtrack to the film Männerherzen, and is at the top of my must-see list for next week after I hand in my final uni work. Ich Liebe Berlin, Ich Liebe Deutschland...

Fühle Dein Herz Schlagen

This is it... LIVE (Eurovision, Not Mr Jackson!)

Dusseldorf: FEEL YOUR HEART BEAT

Here I am in sunny Dusseldorf getting ready for the Eurovision Song Contest Semi Final... I cant express in words how excited both I and the rest of Dusseldorf is for the show tonight.... Just look at the photos - you cant escape it here! = Heaven!!

The Dutch broadcaster TROS have sailed into town along the Rhine with a full on NEDERBOAT! - They obviously mean business!

The 3J's being interviewed for Dutch TV on board the Nederboat. As you can imagine, this made me smile so much I almost put my jaw out. 

The Croatian delegation make their way to the arena ready for the show tonight!!!!

Dana International's less popular Israeli Garden Party...