*Sandra Hüller and Hanns Zischler in a still from Paweł Pawlikowski’s 'Fatherland', photo © Agata Grzybowska*

Pawel Pawlikowski’s 'Fatherland' in Cannes, a personal review

E. Nina Rothe May 15, 2026

Near the beginning of Pawel Pawlikowski’s stunning film on novelist’s Thomas Mann’s return to Germany in 1949, the author and his daughter Erika drive through war-torn Frankfurt, the city reduced to rubble. It’s a scene which showcases in the first clip from the film, but it also features in current events, as I awoke on the morning to the news that multiple Russian-deployed drones had hit Kiev, bringing the haunting film home. In more ways than one.

Talking 'A Calling . From the Desert . To the Sea' with filmmaker Murad Abu Eisheh

E. Nina Rothe August 31, 2023

With his latest short, the Jordanian, Germany-based filmmaker proves once again that he can tackle women's stories perfectly, while also bringing a special sensitivity to them -- all the while gently educating audiences. And, last but not least, making great cinema in the process! From the MIME.news archives.

Curveball_Sebastian Blomberg_Michael Wittenborn_Dar Salim_copyr_Sten Mende.jpg

Johannes Naber throws us a 'Curveball' and hits the perfect shot with his haunting film

E. Nina Rothe March 11, 2020

Where were you in 1997? Well, that was more than 20 years ago, some may have just been born, others living their day-to-day life and chances are you can’t remember that year at all. I know I can’t. And yet that was the beginning of the end of the Arab world as we know it, and the start of the diplomatic chaos we find ourselves in these days, throughout the globe.

In his latest film ‘Curveball’, Johannes Naber does what he does best, tell a story inspired by the headlines yet in a narrative and human way. With humor and great insight thrown in.

Breaking the Rules in Iran: Ali Soozandeh Talks ‘Tehran Taboo’

E. Nina Rothe February 15, 2018

‘Tehran Taboo’ is a spellbinding animated journey into the underbelly of Iranian society where nothing is what it seems from the outside. It would pay US media to watch films like Soozandeh’s once in a while. In fact, it would pay us all to do so, since we could walk away enriched by its wisdom. But the filmmaker’s genius here lies not in preaching, rather in thoroughly entertaining us, from the delicious rotoscope animation to the powerful use of characters that jump off the screen and into our conscience.

Favorite movies only need apply. Life is too short to write about what I didn't enjoy.

Pawel Pawlikowski’s 'Fatherland' in Cannes, a personal review

Talking 'A Calling . From the Desert . To the Sea' with filmmaker Murad Abu Eisheh

Johannes Naber throws us a 'Curveball' and hits the perfect shot with his haunting film

Breaking the Rules in Iran: Ali Soozandeh Talks ‘Tehran Taboo’

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