Why are German films often so formulaic even though Germany is a European culture? I love them but they follow formula very closely like Hollywood. What are the best German films?

In jenen Tagen

Here is a list of some (by no means all) German movies that are considered Classics (and a few that should be, in my opinion):

Das Haus in Montevideo

R.I.P Loretta Swit: How well do you remember ''Hot Lips'' Houlihan? - MeTV

Man spricht Deutsh

Metropolis

Zur Sache, Schätzchen (and its sequel)

Microsoft's OpenAI partnership is fraying at the seams - Axios

Die Feuerzangenbowle

Didi - alles im Eimer

Berlin - Sinfonie einer Großstadt

Gaza-bound aid boat with Greta Thunberg on board arrives in Israel after its seizure - PBS

I have seen some very good German movies. It is not that they don't exist, but they hardly ever achieve much fame. Especially since people have been accustomed to the dominance of US popular culture.

In Wirtschaftswunder times, most Western German movies were junk but the GDR produced some very good ones, e.g. Western movies and Spur der Steine; in the 70s Paul und Paula. I definitely recommend both!

Nackt

How do I stop my 12-year-old daughter from crying herself to sleep? I have punished her and she still does it.

Es geschah am helllichten Tag

Besides these, there are some really good children's movies: More recently, the Bibi und Tina series as just one example. Looking back into the 80s and 70s, as well as into the present, I would even say that movies for children are what the German Film industry excels at. There is much less screaming and cake throwing and slimy monsters and much more discussing of matters that affect children in real life (even in phantasy plots) than in most US children's movies as far als I know them. The GDR was particularly well known for excellent children's movies but the west was and is good at it, too.

Es war eine rauschende Ballnacht

ESA’s new asteroid hunter opens its eye to the sky - European Space Agency

Lola rennt

What is of absolutely horrible quality is the “movies” that are produced for TV. They are famously bad.

And many I can't think of at the moment.

Can I wear a headscarf? I am a white female but I have super curly hair, like 3B - 3C. Recently, I've been putting my hair in a pineapple and putting a headscarf around it. Is that okay? I'm not trying to appropriate any cultures.