A screening of “Merry Christmas” will kick off a new German-language film series at Wartburg College Tuesday, Jan. 12.

The movie is one of four that will be shown as part of the “Crossing Boundaries with German Film” series. All films, which will be screened with English subtitles, begin at 7:15 p.m. in Whitehouse Business Center Room 116. Students will introduce the films and lead discussions following the viewings. All screenings are free and open to the public.

“The purpose of this film festival is to affirm and celebrate Wartburg’s dynamic and ongoing connection to our German heritage by presenting a series of contemporary German-language films that explore difficult moral and ethical challenges relevant to Germany’s past and of global significance for our time,” said Yvonne Losch, assistant professor of German and the series organizer. “Providing a variety of perspectives, the films help us to rediscover and appreciate long-held values the Wartburg community and Germany cherish and share.”

“Merry Christmas” tells the story of the World War I Christmas Eve truce when British, French and German soldiers transcended the divisiveness of the war, laid down their weapons and joined together to celebrate a few days of peace.

Subsequent screenings will include “Sophie Scholl” on Jan. 26, “Almanya” on Feb. 9 and “Kokowaah” on Feb. 23.

The film series is sponsored by the Wartburg College German Institute and organized by the German and German studies programs.