The Funniest East German Comedies

Two Odd Birds (Zwei schräge Vögel)
      1989 | East Germany | Laughs: 4.5 (Watch Once) | imdb: 7.6
      who was involved?

Two top-ranking computer science graduates are exiled to a factory in a remote rural area. The movie is incredibly offbeat. Even without having lived in East Germany or understanding German, it would be hard to miss the sarcasm directed at the system. I smiled the whole time and laughed once or twice. The movie is incredibly offbeat and should only be attempted by those who are in the mood for a cultural experience. (Last viewed: June 2015)

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My Friend Sybil (Meine Freundin Sybille)
      1967 | East Germany | Laughs: 2.0 (Light-Hearted) | imdb: 6.5
      wikipedia | who was involved?

This enchanting movie follows a group of East German tourists on a cruise on the Black Sea. I don't think it made me laugh, but it had me smiling. It presents a picture of innocence, a world where people of various (Eastern European) nations treat one another like brothers, where material comfort and pleasure seem to be a given. With fewer cars and no electronic gadgets, this was a simpler world in which I would have enjoyed living.

What? That world was all a fantasy? Yes, but a colorful one. If you fancy a short trip in culture and time, I highly recommend this film. (Last viewed: August 2015)

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The Legend of Paul and Paula (Die Legende von Paul und Paula)
      1973 | East Germany | Laughs: 2.0 (Light-Hearted) | imdb: 6.9
      wikipedia | who was involved?

Although this movie was tagged as a comedy on imdb, it isn't designed to make you laugh—my definition of comedy for the purpose of this site. But it's a terrific movie that I highly recommend watching. It's a light-hearted love story, light-hearted yet sometimes dark, and, strangely, psychedelic. I guess 1973 was the seventies in East Germany too. Good pacing, endearing characters, nice texture and soundtrack: what's there not to like? (Last viewed: August 2015)

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Carbide and Sorrel (Karbid und Sauerampfer)
      1963 | East Germany | Laughs: 1.5 (Light-Hearted) | imdb: 7.1
      wikipedia | who was involved?

In a time of penury, a man's workmates send him on a long errand to pick up barrels of carbide they need for soldering. Along the way, he runs into thieves, Russian and American soldiers, and love. This is a cute movie that is entirely watchable today thanks to tight editing and a pleasant soundtrack. It probably won't make you laugh, but if you don't mind a bit of vintage black-and-white, it will probably put a smile on your face. (Last viewed: August 2015)

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Till Eulenspiegel
      1974 | East Germany | Laughs: 1.0 (Light-Hearted) | imdb: 6.9
      who was involved?

The beginning of this movie feels like it's the original Holy Grail. Since the Pythons released their famous work a year after this one, they may indeed have been inspired by it. The movie follows a man whose slyness and irreverence alternately get him into the good graces of the mighty then in their bad books. I was pleased to recognize the lead actor from The Legend of Paul and Paula, once again in the lead role. There's not much of a plot, but if you sometimes enjoy arthouse and subculture, you might find something of value in this odd movie. (Last viewed: August 2015)

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