’Life Is All You Get’, the breakthrough film by Wolfgang Becker (’Good Bye, Lenin!’) and co-written by Tom Tykwer (’Run, Lola, Run’), is widely considered to have marked the beginning of a new direction of filmmaking in Germany in the mid-1990s. Gritty and with an eye for authenticity, ’Life Is All You Get’ was the first in a series of works by young German film makers who tackle burning issues of post-unification Germany in an honest, realistic way. ‘Life Is All You Get’ was hugely successful, with critics as well as audiences and both nationally and internationally.

Synopsis: In a huge city like Berlin you literally have to bump into your “big love” – or else it could be that your chance has forever passed. On his way to work at the slaughterhouse, Jan Nebel happens upon a violent demonstration and decides to try and help Vera, a young woman he’s never met, escape arrest. That this act ends up costing Jan his job and a night in jail is balanced out by the fact that in Vera he has met his dream girl. But their good fortune is fragile with Jan afraid that he might be HIV-infected, and Vera inexplicably creeping out of his bed every night . . . ’Life Is All You Get’ is a sensitive, subtle and funny film which introduces us to characters searching for identity, friendship, a bit of luck and “true love” all before the backdrop of an ever-changing Berlin.

This film is presented in German with English subtitles and as part of CCGES’ German Film Series. It will be introduced by Gabriele Mueller, a CCGES faculty affiliate and a professor in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics.

Please note: This film contains scenes of frank sexuality and language which may be offensive to some viewers.

Time: 3:00 – 5:30 pm
Location: Nat Taylor Cinema, Ross N102