I suppose this is all festival-stuff, since I have heard only of one of those you mention.
"The lives of others" was a hugely succesful and very controversial film here in Germany (kind of this year's "Downfall"). It was said to be the first german film which concerns itself with the "Stasi" (the east german secret service) from the perspective of a perpetrator, which isn't true, but it's certainly the most discussed. It won 7 german film awards, though this might be due more to the film's subject matter, than to its cinematic qualities. A friend of mine has said the film itself is nothing outstanding, but as I haven't seen it myself (wasn't interested in all the hype) I can't give you my opinion. 

I am not familiar with the films of experimental filmmaker Matthias Mller, either, but I've generally heard and read good things about his work. He seems to be working regularly with Girardet on his more recent films. Would be nice, if you could review something more "avant-garde" if you catch it. 

Where do you have the opportunity to watch these movies?