Learn German with Films of Benno Fürmann

With piercing blue eyes, if you have already seen actor Benno Fürmann in a film, you would probably remember him. And with over 100 acting credits to his name in film and television, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility.

For this month’s German film recommendations to help you learn German, let’s better get to know Benno Fürmann with three great films: North Wall (Nordwand), Jerichow and The Princess and the Warrior (Der Krieger und die Kaiserin).

Get to Know Benno Fürmann

Benjamin Fürmann was born on January 17, 1952, in Berlin, Germany. By his mid-teens, both of his parents.

By the early 1990s, Benno Fürmann was pursuing acting. He studied in New York City at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and landed some small roles.

His breakthrough performance came in Die Bubi Scholz Story, a television film from 1998 with a cast including Nicolette Krebitz and Alexandra Maria Lara.

Jerichow

The 2008 film Jerichow is written and directed by Christian Petzold is partly based on the 1934 novel The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain.

Fürmann stars in the film as Thomas, an Afghanistan war veteran who is a bit of a loner and a man of not many words. After returning home for his mother’s funeral, Thomas decides to stay in town. Shortly thereafter he meets Ali, the owner of a chain of snack bars who is without a driver’s license after some alcohol-related offenses.

Thomas quickly becomes Ali’s driver. Soon thereafter, he begins an affair with Ali’s wife, Laura (portrayed by Nina Hoss). They are playing with a dangerous secret, especially considering that Ali’s not shy about abusing his wife.

North Face (Nordwand)

In 1936, two teams of mountain climbers — one German and one Austrian — were racing to be the first to reach the top of the Eiger in the Bernese Alps via the mountain’s northern face. Naturally, both teams of climbers encountered a number of challenges along the way.

Based on actual events, North Face is a suspenseful film from 2008 that focuses not only on the historical events around the climb but also the personal relationships of those involved.

Fürmann and Florian Lukas portray the German climbing team of Toni Kurz and Andi Hinterstoisser. Ulrich Tukur and Johanna Wokalek are also part of the cast.

The Princess and the Warrior (Der Krieger und die Kaiserin)

After writer and director Tom Tykwer‘s smash hit Lola Rennt (Run Lola Run), he followed it up with 2000’s Der Krieger und die Kaiserin (The Princess and the Warrior).

The film stars Lola acrress Franka Potente alongside of Fürmann and Lola actress Franka Potente. Potente portrays Sissi, a nurse in a mental ward, who meets Bodo (Fürmann), a troubled former soldier and bank robber. When Bodo saves Sissi’s life, the interaction deeply affects her and she decides to pursue him.