History is often told through grand narratives—the World Wars, the Cold War, and the revolutions that reshaped civilizations. Yet, quieter, often overlooked stories also deserve attention. These are the stories of individuals, small communities, and local events that, though not always found in traditional history books, are just as essential for understanding the human experiences behind those larger events. While we often remember the monumental moments, we sometimes forget the personal ones—the intimate stories that reveal how decisions made by those in power impact the everyday lives of ordinary people.
Throughout the year, Arthouse Cinema will present a carefully curated series of films at GoetheHaus Jakarta, offering a unique opportunity to explore these often-forgotten chapters of history. Scheduled once a month, each screening will provide a personal lens through which we can re-examine our shared past. These films remind us that history is not just about major events. It’s also about the sometimes unnoticed moments, diminutive incidents that slowly shift and shape our world, leading us toward the larger events we know. These stories define who we are and how we relate to one another.
Rabiye Kurnaz gegen George W. Bush (Andreas Dresen, 2022) tells the compelling story of a mother’s fight to free her son from Guantanamo Bay. Against all odds, Rabiye Kurnaz emerges as an unlikely yet powerful figure, symbolizing the personal stakes of a highly political case. With her charm, wit, and unassuming demeanour, Rabiye proves that a mother, in her resilience and unwavering love, is the ultimate symbol of resistance, survival, and devotion. Her journey underscores the profound strength of ordinary individuals in the face of extraordinary circumstances.
Menschen am Sonntag also known as People on Sunday (Robert Siodmak, 1929) captures the fleeting moments of everyday life in pre-war Berlin on one Saturday afternoon (continued by a series of affairs and errands on the following Sunday), offering a snapshot of social dynamics and individual dreams on the brink of major historical upheaval. There is nothing major happening; the characters meet, make a trip, take walks, sleep. The city and the protagonists ultimately become interchangeable.
o.k. (sometimes also spelled O.K.) is a 1970 anti-war film from West Germany, directed by Michael Verhoeven. The story follows a four-man U.S. military team during the Vietnam War as they capture and brutally mistreat a young Vietnamese girl. Although the film is set in the war, it takes place in a Bavarian forest, and the actors speak with a distinct Bavarian accent—a deliberate choice by Verhoeven to create a "Brechtian distancing effect." This technique encourages the audience to critically engage with the film, prompting them to reflect on the horrors of war and the dehumanizing effects of power and violence.
Lieber Thomas (Andreas Kleinert, 2021), Wir sind jung, wir sind stark (Burhan Qurbani, 2014), and Die Brücke am Ibar (Michaela Kezele, 2012) all explore personal and societal struggles during times of profound political, cultural, and social upheaval. Lieber Thomas tells the story of Thomas Brasch, an East German writer and filmmaker who grapples with the oppressive realities of life under the Stasi regime. As he challenges the system and pursues creative freedom, the film delves into the emotional toll of living in a divided society, where personal identity and political resistance collide.
Wir sind jung, wir sind stark shifts to a different kind of societal tension in the wake of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Set in the early 1990s, it depicts the violent clashes between young neo-Nazis and immigrant communities in Rostock, exploring the rise of nationalism and xenophobia in post-reunification Germany. Die Brücke am Ibar, set towards the end of the Yugoslav Wars, takes a more intimate approach to the theme of reconciliation. The film follows Danica, a Serbian single mother, and her children, trapped in their home amidst the violent conflict between Serbs, Albanians, and NATO forces. The bridge across the Ibar River becomes a poignant symbol of their struggle to survive and preserve their humanity in the face of war and division.
Lastly, in two films namely Als Hitler das Rosa Kaninchen stahl (Caroline Link, 2019) and Sputnik (Markus Dietrich, 2020) we delve into the complexities of identity, fear, and survival, seen through the eyes of young protagonists. Als Hitler das Rosa Kaninchen stahl portrays the loss of innocence as the upper-class Jewish Kemper family is forced to flee Nazi Germany, navigating the emotional challenges of displacement and exile. In contrast, Sputnik explores a different kind of turmoil. Set in East Germany during the Cold War, an upcoming child scientist Rike and her gang try to make sense of the mysterious and unsettling consequences of leaving their village—are the adults around them truly capable of escaping through rockets and advanced technology, or are they trapped in a system that limits their freedom?
Whether you’re a film enthusiast or simply curious about the hidden histories of our world, these screenings are a chance to discover something new. We hope to welcome you to the GoetheHaus and looking forward to hearing your personal reflection on the stories depicted in the movies!
