quiz about German TV and film

Lights, camera, action! Are you a fan of German cinema and television? Then put your knowledge to the test with our German TV & Movies Quiz!

In this quiz, we will explore the rich history and diverse offerings of German cinema and television, with questions that range from the obscure to the iconic.

So gather your friends and family, grab some popcorn, and get ready to put your German film and TV knowledge to the ultimate test. Viel Glück! (Good luck!)

1. Which famous German director is known for films such as “Metropolis” and “M”?

A. [question][Werner Herzog]

B. [correct][Fritz Lang]

C. [question][Rainer Werner Fassbinder]

[ANSWER][Fritz Lang is a renowned German director known for his groundbreaking films “Metropolis” (1927) and “M” (1931). “Metropolis” is a silent science fiction film set in a futuristic city, while “M” is a thriller about a child murderer. Both films had a significant impact on the development of German Expressionist cinema and the international film industry.]

2. Which German television series has gained international acclaim for its portrayal of life in 1980s East Germany?

A. [question][Tatort]

B. [question][Babylon Berlin]

C. [correct][Deutschland 83]

[ANSWER][The series follows a young East German border patrol guard who is sent to West Germany as a spy. The show has been praised for its historical accuracy, suspenseful plot, and strong performances.]

 

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3. Which German director is known for his close collaboration with actor Klaus Kinski, resulting in films like “Aguirre, the Wrath of God” and “Fitzcarraldo”?

A. [correct][Werner Herzog]

B. [question][Wim Wenders]

C. [question][Volker Schlöndorff]

[ANSWER][Together, Herzog and Kinski worked on several critically acclaimed films, such as “Aguirre, the Wrath of God” (1972) and “Fitzcarraldo” (1982). Herzog’s films often explore themes of obsession, the human relationship with nature, and the thin line between civilization and barbarism.]

4. Which German film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2006?

A. [question][Good Bye, Lenin!]

B. [question][Downfall]

C. [correct][The Lives of Others]

[ANSWER][Directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, the movie is set in East Germany during the 1980s and tells the story of a Stasi officer who becomes increasingly disillusioned with the oppressive regime while spying on a playwright and his lover. The film was widely praised for its compelling narrative, strong performances, and nuanced portrayal of life under the East German regime.]

5. Which German television crime drama has been running since 1970 and features various regional teams of detectives solving crimes?

A. [correct][Tatort]

B. [question][Der Alte]

C. [question][Polizeiruf 110]

[ANSWER][Tatort features various regional teams of detectives solving crimes, with each team representing a different city or region in Germany. Episodes are produced by different regional public broadcasting stations, resulting in a diverse range of styles and themes. Tatort has become a cultural institution in Germany, with millions of viewers tuning in for each episode.]

6. Which German film, released in 2003, is a romantic comedy about a young man who creates a fictional life for his ailing mother?

A. [question][Run Lola Run]

B. [correct][Good Bye, Lenin!]

C. [question][Head-On]

[ANSWER][Set in East Germany during the fall of the Berlin Wall, the protagonist, Alex, tries to convince his mother, who has just awakened from a coma, that East Germany still exists to prevent her from suffering further health issues due to shock.]

 

7. Which German film, released in 1998, is an action thriller that follows a woman who needs to obtain 100,000 Deutsche Marks in 20 minutes to save her boyfriend’s life?

A. [correct][Run Lola Run]

B. [question][The Princess and the Warrior]

C. [question][The Baader Meinhof Complex]

[ANSWER][“Run Lola Run” (“Lola rennt”) is an action thriller that follows a woman named Lola who needs to obtain 100,000 Deutsche Marks in 20 minutes to save her boyfriend’s life. The film is known for its unique structure, which presents three alternate scenarios of Lola’s desperate race against time, each with different outcomes.]

 

8. What is the title of the German television series set in 1920s Berlin, based on the novels by Volker Kutscher?

A. [question][Dark]

B. [correct][Babylon Berlin]

C. [question][Berlin Station]

[ANSWER][“Babylon Berlin”, created by Tom Tykwer, Achim von Borries, and Henk Handloegten, follows police inspector Gereon Rath as he navigates the political and social turmoil of the Weimar Republic era. The series is known for its high production values, intricate plotlines, and vivid portrayal of the decadent and dangerous world of 1920s Berlin.]

9. Which German film, directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel, depicts the final days of Adolf Hitler in his Berlin bunker?

A. [question][The Downfall of the Third Reich]

B. [correct][Downfall]

C. [question][The Last Days]

[ANSWER][Released in 2004, the film is based on the books “Inside Hitler’s Bunker” by Joachim Fest and “Until the Final Hour” by Traudl Junge and Melissa Müller. The movie received critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of the events, strong performances, and unflinching examination of the human side of the Nazi leadership.]

10. Which German sci-fi thriller series, released in 2017, revolves around the disappearances of children and the existence of time travel in a small town?

A. [correct][Dark]

B. [question][Perfume]

C. [question][How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)]

[ANSWER][The show revolves around the disappearances of children and the existence of time travel in the small town of Winden. As the series progresses, it delves into complex family relationships, the consequences of time travel, and the manipulation of events by mysterious forces. “Dark” has gained a strong following for its intricate storytelling, atmospheric visuals, and compelling characters.]

 

11. Which German television series, inspired by the novel by Patrick Süskind, follows a young profiler investigating a series of brutal murders?

A. [correct][Perfume]

B. [question][Beat]

C. [question][Charité]

[ANSWER][The story delves into themes of obsession, the nature of beauty, and the power of scent, offering a gripping and atmospheric viewing experience.]

12. Which 2004 German film, directed by Fatih Akin, tells the story of a young Turkish-German woman and a middle-aged Turkish man who enter into a marriage of convenience?

A. [question][Soul Kitchen]

B. [question][In July]

C. [correct][Head-On]

[ANSWER][The film explores themes of cultural identity, love, and personal redemption as the two characters struggle with their feelings for each other and their own personal demons. “Head-On” received widespread critical acclaim and won several awards, including the Golden Bear at the 2004 Berlin International Film Festival.]

 

13. Which German miniseries, released in 1985, is a World War II drama based on the novel by Lothar-Günther Buchheim and follows the fictional story of a German U-boat crew?

A. [question][Generation War]

B. [correct][Das Boot]

C. [question][The Same Sky]

[ANSWER][This miniseries, directed by Wolfgang Petersen, is a World War II drama that follows the fictional story of a German U-boat crew as they embark on a dangerous mission in the Atlantic Ocean. Known for its realistic portrayal of life aboard a submarine and the psychological impact of war, “Das Boot” is widely considered one of the most authentic and gripping war dramas ever made.]

14. Which German film, released in 2008, is a historical drama about the 60s student movement and the ‘Red Army Faction’?

A. [correct][The Baader Meinhof Complex]

B. [question][The Counterfeiters]

C. [question][Sophie Scholl: The Final Days]

[ANSWER][“The Baader Meinhof Complex” by Uli Edel tells the story of the Red Army Faction (RAF), a left-wing extremist group in West Germany during the 1970s, led by Andreas Baader, Gudrun Ensslin, and Ulrike Meinhof. The film explores the motivations and actions of the group, as well as the government’s efforts to stop them. “The Baader Meinhof Complex” received critical acclaim for its intense, unbiased portrayal of a tumultuous period in German history.]

15. Set in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this German TV series revolves around the lives of doctors and nurses working at a prestigious hospital in Berlin. What is the name of this series?

A. [question][Beat]

B. [question][Perfume]

C. [correct][Charité]

[ANSWER][Charité revolves around the lives of doctors and nurses working at the Charité hospital in Berlin. The series offers a fascinating look into the history of medicine and the challenges faced by medical professionals during this period.]