Goethe-Institut

This is an update of my previous review of Goethe-​Institut German Classes, shown below, in which I had a very negative class experience. When I wrote the previous review I also contacted the Goethe-​Institut about the concerns I’d had. I was somewhat surprised with the depth and care they took in their responses. While at first they defended the teaching style I’d encountered, as they learned more of the details they were quite sympathetic to my frustrations and seemed to indicate that in this particular case things may have gone awry. They were at particular pains to clarify that the experience I had was specific to the instructor, and that while some students enjoy that instructor, my experience would likely be meaningfully different with other instructors. They also offered me half off an additional course and a free trial of it in compensation all before even knowing I’d posted a review here.
The net result leaves me a bit uncertain about recommending them. The course experience was quite negative for me, but I’m not sure I’ve ever had any organization take such time, care, and consideration in responding to feedback. It has indeed made me think my experience could have been atypical; I’m even considering the possibility of returning for another try to see. Given the totality of my experience now I’m much more open to thinking others might find their experience here productive.
I leave my reviews here to note to future students though that if you find yourself having an experience like mine, it may be productive to be proactive about discussing it with the Institut admins partway through the course. My contact with them has made me think that could have been far more effective than I’d have thought it could be when I considered it at the time, and might have prevented my having such a negative experience in the first place.

I came here to watch Germany thrash Portugal for their opening match of the 2014 World Cup. Was quite an interesting experience, but we only got to check out the theatre as the gallery was packed.
The theatre is pretty standard, plenty of nice speakers with decent seating, good noise isolation, and a decent sized screen. Overall, pretty fun experience. I would check this place out for a Germany match during the world cup as it is free.

This is a great space with interesting exhibits. Gorgeous design, state of the art screening rooms.
Beware, however, the supremacist-​apologist white staff. Yes, as is par for the course it is a cultural center operating with a 99% white staff. I went to the Afrofuturism film screening last night and when the moderator was corrected for making a blanket statement about the way that folks don’t think about Africa as a technological center, someone promptly corrected her. After which, she ranted about her job at the Smithsonian gallery of African Art (read: I have black friends and I study black people, I can’t be wrong). The whole thing was very violent.
Go for the exhibits, beware the staff, or challenge them to do more than study people of color, hire some! Bring Black Jesus holy water if they try to assault you with their accomplishments.

Saw two films on closing night («The Kite» and «Surrogate Valentine») of the Asian Pacific American Film Festival.
But this review is more about the Goethe-​Institut and the cool staff that works here instead of the festival.
The theatre itself is small, but clean, modern, and intimate. Good seating viewpoints with raised floors. Screen is small, but well-​proportioned for the size of the room. Theatre itself might fit just less than 200, but that kind of retains that sense of exclusivity.
Plentiful bathrooms that are clean. Notice they have two women’s bathrooms to one men’s bathroom. Nice touch. They get it.
We brought a picnic dinner to munch on while we waited in-​between the two films, and when we found out that they don’t allow food or drink into the theatre, they graciously allowed us to store our dinner bags in their closet. Moreover, while we ate our dinner, they allowed us to use their lounge and sit back while watching German news and glancing through German magazines, of course!
About two blocks from the Chinatown/​Gallery metro stop.
Take the stairs up to check out the lounge fit with some artwork and photography by German artists.
Ein gutes Ort, um Film zu sehen.

I’ve watched a couple of films here, and like the intimate setting. The theater is pretty small, so there doesn’t seem to be a bad seat in the house. Even from the way back I had no trouble totally immersing myself into the film (a press screening for the new Almodovar film – «The Skin I Live In” – awesome film, btw).
There’s a lounge area with couches where you can chill before a show, but as others have mentioned, no concession stand. The theater seats are also very comfy, roomy, and clean.
I found it interesting that the restroom was at the front of the theater, right next to the screen. I expected the shaft of light escaping into the darkened theater would draw the entire audience’s immediate attention to whoever was making use of the facilities during a film. Surprisingly, the light was subtle enough that I barely noticed. So no need to feel self-​conscious if you gotta go!

Background — Just saw a bunch of films here for the APA Film Festival. The building itself is much cleaner than the stereotypical popcorn-​littered and crowded theater. Instead, it’s truly a pleasant atmosphere, probably because of it’s educational charge. I like the purple chairs and the intimate seating as well as its untraditional film choices.
Overall — Accessible in Chinatown, more artsy and regularly rotating exhibits than just indie films, and clean. Don’t expect your regular theater, be ready to learn and you’ll have a great time!
Tip — sit somewhere on the middle rows. You might think you need to sit all the way in the back because the screen is so large, but when the curtains part, you’ll find that the screen is actually not the size of the wall and that it takes up the upper third to half only.
Also, there were no food concessions when I went so you may need to eat before or after the movie.

Love Love Love to Goethe! Saw a movie here last night and you just can’t beat their theater. Great size, doesn’t get too hot or cold and they’re showing you a German film (usually)! Hanging out at Goethe is second only to hanging out at the Botschaft and that’s not shabby.

Remember, Goethe is not just movies and cultural events, but it is also German language classes. Darned good classes, and darned good instructors!

Located near Chinatown, it’s a good venue for foreign films. The entrance is at ground level so it’s easy to find. I went to see James Judd’s 7 sins, part of the Capital Fringe Festival. The «Mainstage» is small and close to the stage where James Judd performed. It was pretty much a stand-​up with hardly any sets. The sound and lighting was good and in sync with his act. James Judd was hilarious and I highly recommend watching his performance.

Came here with friends yesterday to watch the Euro Cup 2008 Finals between Germany and Spain. My friend is German so he wanted to watch the game with other Germans. It was cool that you can bring your own beverages (alcohol permitted!) and snacks (upstair only). The staff was friendly and I would love to come back to check out their movie.

Not just German! Went to see a Danish film. Ate at the reception. I was pleased that they had protein at the reception. Shrimp, cheese, chicken nuggets, nuts, and spring rolls. Also, pretzels etc. The movie was so popular that we sat on hard chairs about two feet from the screen. I didn’t mind. The movie ticket was $ 10 and the Goethe Institute is smack in the mini-​NYC of Chinatown!

This is a fantastic place to watch independent German and even other international films. I saw a series of short films here last night and there were free hors d’oeuvres and they sold wine and beer. It had a great homey vibe and there was an Afghani photography exhibition that we enjoyed while we mingled. I would recommend joining their e-​mail list to get updates on events they hold!

just got back from watching a movie at the goethe institut. while the movie (actually a movie/​documentary made for german tv) was a couple of years old, the price was not overly expensive ($ 6). the theater is great and comfortable, the staff really nice, welcoming and friendly. I am looking forward to going back and getting a bit more engaged in the offerings of my home country.

I celebrated Europe Day this year with the Goethe Institut and it was a blast! I thoroughly enjoyed day two of the EU Short Film Festival. European accents are so hot!
Excellent film choices and I learned a thing or two about eastern Europe.
Thanks GI!

Danke Gothe Institut for a nice space to watch some new films by German directors for way cheap (around 5 bucks) as well as some great art.
The Goethe Institut is a German cultural center and offers educational programs like translation services and information on Germany as well as a library. They also help students who want to study in Germany and vice versa.
As far as the art that’s here, there is a really different exhibit featuring a steel sculptor and a painter who came together to make steel and plexiglass pieces.