* AwardSnub: Creator/UlrichMuhe was snubbed as a rare foreign language performer for the Academy Award for Best Actor.
* SugarWiki/FunnyMoments: The jokes about Erich Honecker, the General Secretary of UsefulNotes/EastGermany, are inherently funny, especially if you're from the East or knowledgeable of life there.
-->'Early in the morning, Honecker arrives at his office and opens his window. He sees the sun and says: "Good morning, dear Sun!" The sun replies: "Good morning, dear Erich!" Honecker works, and then at noon he heads to the window and says: "Good day, dear Sun!" The sun replies: "Good day, dear Erich!" In the evening, Erich calls it a day, and heads once more to the window, and says: "Good evening, dear Sun!" The sun is silent. Honecker says again: "Good evening, dear Sun! What's the matter?" The sun replies: "Kiss my arse. I'm in the West now."'
* HypeBacklash:
** Inevitably got some when it upset the massively popular ''Film/PansLabyrinth'' for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, getting more attention towards some of its arguable flaws. While the film was always highly praised for its historical and political-thriller elements, some critics were less convinced by the human side of the story, finding some of the the character's motivations and the more emotional/tearjerking scenes contrived and/or unconvincing.
** In the former Eastern Block countries, it is usually mocked for the whole plot hinging on having a remorseful Stasi agent. Considering ''not a single one'' of them ever apologised or even came clear about their job, many viewers ended up disillusioned with such a highly-acclaimed film running entirely on "unrealistic idealism", finding the premise to go way beyond WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief.
*** [[https://www.bpb.de/themen/deutschlandarchiv/74952/das-leben-der-anderen-wieslers-verweigerung/ According to the Federal Agency for Civic Education]] however, the plot is not as unrealistic as one might think, as there were some high-ranking GDR communists that did similar rebellions and paid dearly for it.
* TearJerker: Many moments, especially [[spoiler:Christa-Maria's death]]. Also, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxvdRQ77pG8 the softspoken ending]] often has people blubbering.
-->[[spoiler: '''Bookstore cashier''': Would you like it [the book] giftwrapped?]]\\
[[spoiler: '''Wiesler''': No, it's for me.]]
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