Summary:
Since its founding back in Cold War West-Berlin in 1951, the Berlinale film festival has not only played an active role in establishing the formidable reputation of post-war German cinema, it has also regularly reflected European and international political and social movements, as well.

Details or Sample:
Standing its ground against Cannes and Venice, the “Berlinale” is among the crème de la crème of European film festivals. Since its founding back in Cold War West-Berlin in 1951, it has not only played an active role in establishing the formidable reputation of post-war German cinema, it has also regularly reflected European and international political and social movements, as well.

Part of this is due to the fact that the film jury is expected to place a special emphasis on representing films from all over the world. During the Cold War, films from the Eastern Block countries were shown along side those of the West, for instance. Films from developing countries or about politically controversial issues have always been welcomed with open arms here. And controversial social and political themes have never been a Mangelware (a good in short supply). In other words, the Berlinale makes no qualms about being a “political” film festival and has been, for this very reason, quite controversial in and of itself.

But the political nature of the Berlinale should really be of no surprise. Its very establishment back in 1951 was a political act itself; the Bonn government and allied forced were intent upon reestablishing Berlin’s reputation as being the political and cultural capital of Germany – West-Berlin, that is.

And the history of the German film industry goes well back into the last century, so it is no coincidence that the Berlinale should play the role it does in Germany and Europe. Berlin, home of Marlene Dietrich, with its nearby studios in Babelsberg, produced international masterpieces like "Metropolis", "The Blue Angel" and "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" after the World War I era. Propaganda films under National Socialism were produced here during the Second World War as well, of course, and new technologies, like the use of color, soon became widespread. Post-war films were characterized by the massive reconstruction and Germany’s Wirtschaftswunder (economic miracle). These times seemed to demand lighter entertainment like comedies, romances and melodramas, all of which enjoyed great popularity. Films critical of the past or of the current society remained few and far between until the more prosperous and turbulent 1960’s.

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