1. What moments in Europa Europa do we see the implementation of Kristallnacht, Lebensbraum, Lebensborn?
2. What differences, if any, were there in the methods used by the Russians and the Germans to indoctrinate their Europa, Europa?
3. Watch the sequence where Dreyman plays "Sonata for a Good Man," in The Lives of Others. What is the significance of this music in the film? Why does Dreyman refer to Lenin and Lenin's mentioning of Beethoven's "'Appassionata" while playing the piece? How do these references help us understand the film?
4. Why does Wiesler attempt to help Dreymann?
5. In Chabrol's Story of Women the Vichy State has a very concrete impact on Marie. Explain the Vichy agenda What do you think of the punishment meted out to Marie?
6. What was the Russian Thaw? How is it represented in Cranes are Flying?
7. Panning, tracking, high angle crane shots and third camera work is signature of Urusevsky; camera. Take any sequence from Cranes are Flying. How does Urusevsky's camera participate in creating meaning for the audience? Think of the joyful opening scene or Mark's feet crunching through the glass to Boris' boots slogging in the mud, the staircase scene or Veronika's search for Boris at the train station.mnm,11 8. Mention two places in the film Goodbye Lenin!, that the film makes fun of capitalism and two ways in which it critiques communism.
9. Many countries did not come to terms with their Fascist and Nazi pasts in the post-War years.
How do representations in the films Rome Open City and Phoenix represent this? What myths in these films replace historical truth?
10. Both Phoenix and Story of Women focus on Resistance as it impacts the feminine gender. What do you think are the points of similarity?
11. What different attitudes to the Stasi do the films Goodbye Lenin and Lives of Others demonstrate? Support your response
12. Robert tells Solly "It is easier to play someone else than yourself How is the claim problematized in the film Europa Europa
13. In both Phoenix and in Cranes, there is a sense of re-birth in the end. What are they letting go off, what are they being re-born into?
