Home Event Listings Photo, Film, Video 50 Years of German-French Friendship

50 Years of German-French Friendship

Posted on 18/01/2013

Tue 22 Jan 2013
5 pm: Film “French for beginners” at Goethe Institut
8 pm: Film “Joyeuse Noel” (Merry Christmas) at L’Espace

From Goethe Institut and L’Espace:

On the 22nd of January 1963 both heads of the government of France and Germany, Charles De Gaulle and Konrad Adenauer, signed the Elysee-Contract: After centuries of tensions and wars between the neighbouring countries the contract was a new start towards peace and friendship. Especially German-France exchange programs, municipal partnerships and language trips for pupils and students emphasized the excitement of the young generation of both countries and were a great success. The neighbours discovered similarities and learned to appreciate their diversities. The German-French friendship became a motor for the European unification and is by now part of the everyday life. The anniversary of the Elysee-Contract will be celebrated 2013 with a lot of events in both countries. In Hanoi the embassies and the cultural institutes L’ Espace and Goethe-Institut initiate a film screening and a reception.

50 years German-French friendship

In Goethe-Institut Hanoi, 56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hanoi
Reception | 22.01.2013
Film „French for beginners“ | 22.01.2013, 5pm

German language, Vietnamese subtitles. Free admission.

Henrik from Germany hates his French lessons and because of that he develops a deep dislike towards everything that has to do with his neighbouring country. But then he meets the half French girl Valerie and he fell in love. But he already exposed himself as a French opponent. Clearly his chances to get a date with her are zero. But then he has the opportunity to participate in the German-French exchange program… After his arrival in France he got immediately infected by the Savoir-vivre: wild parties, a crazy guest family, night-time trips and the up and downs of the first big love. All this turns the unwanted holiday trip into an unforgettable summer.

This German-French co-production shows more than just clumsy clichés. With a jolly atmosphere and a propensity to cultural misunderstandings strikes “French for Beginners” the right tone. The film promises great entertainment and shows interesting facts about the German and French mentality.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWNb7j4JuDQ[/youtube]

In L’Espace, 24 Trang Tien, Hanoi
Reception | 22.01.2013
Film „Joyeuse Noel“ (Merry Christmas) | 22.01.2013, 8pm

Original French with Vietnamese subtitles. Entry by invitation.

In August 1918 the First World War breaks out and draws millions of people into its vortex. French, German and Scottish regiments face one another in the trenches in northern France.

As Christmas approaches, gifts from families and governments arrive. But the biggest surprise comes not with the many generous supplies for the trenches – rather, the unthinkable happens: for a moment, the soldiers put down their weapons and go, with a candle in hand, over to the other side to visit those who they have been taught for ages, in schools and barracks, are bloodthirsty monsters. And with the sounds of traditional carols they realize that the others are also human, shake hands, exchange cigarettes and chocolate and wish each other “Joyeux Noel”, “Fröhliche Weihnachten”, “Merry Christmas”. A temporary ceasefire reigns between the warring camps as they celebrate Christmas together. A true story, forgotten by history, that occurred in northern France, near Lille.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkKkAg4Ew-s[/youtube]