by Anessa Olson

We have come a long way from the time when the entire country watched the same three channels. Every year, there are more and more television shows about a staggering array of topics and characters. Additionally, more shows are becoming available from around the world.  Ames Public Library staff is happy to help you find shows or movies that suit your taste. In addition to popular Hollywood shows and films, our world language DVD section has films, shows, and documentaries from all over the world, in dozens of languages. And now, watching shows from our world language collection is more convenient than ever, because all DVDs (except those in the Quick Picks section) now check out for three weeks instead of only one. 

Here are a few recommendations to get you started:

The glitz, glamor and grit of the Weimar Republic comes blazing to life in the German television sensation “Babylon Berlin.”  Gereon Rath, a tormented veteran of the Great War who found work as a vice cop comes to Berlin in search of a pornography ring and finds far more than he was looking for in this tense and twisty thriller.

While “Babylon Berlin” explores Germany prior to the rise of Hitler, “A French Village” delves into the reality of life under Nazi rule with both sensitivity and painstaking attention to historical detail. The first French television show to grapple with the questions of collaboration, this gripping historical drama is not to be missed. 

Fans of Scandinavian mysteries will love the dark and compelling crime series “The Bridge.” When a body is found precisely in the center of the Oresund Bridge, the border between Sweden and Denmark, detectives from both countries must work together to unravel the perplexing mystery.

On the other side of the law, we have “Gomorrah,” which tells the story of the Savastano crime family as a turf war engulfs modern-day Naples. This show is grim and gritty and definitely not for the faint of heart, but the compelling story and complex characters are endlessly fascinating. 

These shows and many more are available in our World Language DVD section. With three weeks to watch them, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy them at your own pace. So as winter closes in, check out a few, pop some popcorn, and explore the world.