SIFF SCREENING Celebrates a Grand Highlight with the Conclusion of “Retrospective of German Film Masters”

Guided by Shanghai Film Bureau and organized by Shanghai International Film & TV Festivals, Co., Ltd., “Retrospective of German Film Masters” concluded yesterday (November 3). This event marked the debut of SIFF SCREENING which is newly launched by Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF). From October 25 to 27 and November 1 to 3, the event featured 12 screenings held over two weekends at Shanghai Film Art Center (SHO). The selected films spanned from 1953 to 1983, showcasing eight classic works from five renowned German filmmakers, allowing audiences to experience one of the most vibrant periods in German cinematic history.

This event covered a diverse array of genres, including science fiction, war, family, crime, women, and romance. It included well-known classics as well as newly restored gems of film history. Werner Herzog’s iconic work JEDER FÜR SICH UND GOTT GEGEN ALLE quickly sold out, while there are only several tickets remained for films such as Margarethe von Trotta’s uniquely personal HELLER WAHN, Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s WELT AM DRAHT‎, and Volker Schlöndorff’s Cannes and Oscar-winning DIE BLECHTROMMEL‎.

Many audience members expressed their appreciation for the film selection, curation, and viewing experience at the event. A user on Xiaohongshu named “Tomato Lycopene（番茄红素）” shared his/her renewed feelings while watching the restored version of THE BIG HEAT and his/her long-favored film ANGST ESSEN SEELE AUF‎ in the theater: “Movies are an art that belongs to cinemas. Watching them online has only brought sympathy and pity for the characters, but in the immersive environment of the cinema, accompanied by music, I felt drawn into the emotions of the moment when Emmi and Ali danced at the end. That’s something that online platforms can never replace; that’s the true significance of cinema.”

The 2K restored version of ACHT STUNDEN SIND KEIN TAG marked the first time this film was screened in cinemas in the Chinese mainland, making it a special highlight of the event. ACHT STUNDEN SIND KEIN TAG is an important work from Fassbinder’s period of stylistic transition, with a total running time of nearly eight hours. The marathon screening from noon to 10 PM maximized the presentation of this classic masterpiece, and intermissions were thoughtfully scheduled to enhance the viewing experience. Additionally, before each episode, the screen showcased specially designed stills related to the plot for fans to take home as a memorable keepsake. After the screenings, many fans shared their thoughts online: Xiaohongshu user “ToD” noted that it was the longest cinema experience and bringing a cushion was the right choice; while user “East or West-Xiang’er（偏问西东-香耳）” expressed that he/she didn’t feel tired at all and actually wished the film wouldn’t end; and user “Crossing the woods（绿林穿行）” remarked that the atmosphere of the screenings was particularly good, with gentle, positive, free, and powerful energies encapsulated in the work that healed the audience.

SIFF, held every June, has long been a gathering for cinema enthusiasts. Beyond that, SIFF continues to plan a series of regular screen events during off-festival periods, aiming to extend its educational mission and provide audiences with richer, more diverse cinematic content while fostering a more participatory viewing atmosphere. Following “Retrospective of French Film Masters 2022” and “Retrospective of Spanish Film Masters”, this year SIFF upgraded its regular screenings to a branded screening event, SIFF SCREENING. As exemplified by the hand-drawn poster connecting iconic scenes from eight films to the cultural and historical narrative of the 20th century, intertwining romantic imagination and rational dialogue, SIFF aspires to revisit classics while fostering inheritance and thought through clear thematic planning. Consequently, “Retrospective of German Film Masters” included events like film selection guides and academic previews, where curators and film critics offered guidance to audiences for a deeper understanding of German cinema’s history and the conceptual framework behind the curation.

Throughout the event, a series of merchandise items, including posters, notebooks, and T-shirts, were also launched. The event posters, ticket holders, passport holders, and blind box items were especially popular among fans and received much praise, with some items even sold out during the opening week. Plans for the next SIFF SCREENING zooming in on new Japanese films are already underway, which is expected to meet with the audience in December, marking the return of this beloved event to Shanghai after a three-year hiatus.