Discoveries from East Germany World Cinema

A man and his donkey rescue someone from a crevice, who repays the man with gold and the donkey with sugar. Later, they hear another cry for help and proceed to a second rescue.

Hans Richter and his wife Eva () are the parents of four children. When the family received a vacation cheque, they were delighted and a long-cherished wish came true. But Hans Richter's mood after the vacation is not what it should be after a vacation. So what had happened? While on vacation, the family had experienced some surprises, as a result of which the vacation took a completely different course than planned...

Educational short film about the solar eclipse

It's Gretel's birthday. Not only Kasper, but all his friends prepare surprises. The devil causes confusion as he tries to steal Kasper's book of inventions.

Two girls experience dislike at first sight because of their differences. Then they sort things out.

More than two decades ago, a country in Europe existed that marked the border to a different political and economic system, yet was the very heart of the continent. This country called the German Democratic Republic, made Socialism a reality and was home to 17 million people. Born in the deep eastern provinces, Ringo Rösener witnessed East Germany's collapse as a nation. Ringing in the new millennium, he leaves his hometown of Anklam to live out his homosexuality – something he had never dared to do. Would an openly gay life even have been possible in the real Socialist system? Ringo Rösener meets six gay men who lived in the GDR. Some of them speak openly about their sexuality for the first time in their lives. Little by little, they open up, share their stories, and talk about their lives in the supposedly uniform state.

An elegant crowd attends a meeting but, while they listen to the speech, all they really care about is the buffet.

A soldier returns from the war. As he has nowhere to stay, he moves to hell. There he is ordered by the devil to stoke the fire under the cauldrons and add coals. When he looks into the cauldron, he sees his captain, the marshal and the king sitting in it. They beg the soldier to help them to freedom. But the soldier remembers what these three had done to him on earth and seals the cauldron so tightly that the captain, marshal and king can never return. Now the soldier returns to earth reassured.

GDR anti-Vietnam propaganda film with footage of East Germans donating blood to be sent to the Viet Cong soldiers.

Until he was 11, Detlef Kammrath (René Siodla) had a carefree childhood. But now his parents have decided to go their separate ways and divorce - a catastrophe for the boy. The court awards custody to his mother (Karin Schröder), but Detlef harshly rejects his mother's new partner (Gerd Grasse). He sees him as the person responsible for his unhappiness. Hoping to improve the family atmosphere, his mother forbids the boy from meeting his biological father; this leads to Detlef's absolute despair, and he becomes a "case" for child welfare services.

Documents the remodeling of the Ostbahnhof in Berlin Friedrichshain into the central station of the GDR.

Frieda and August Walkowiak celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. However, the marriage has been in crisis for some time. August wants to spend his old age in peace, while Frieda has no intention of giving up her position as LPG chairman. The problems in the countryside are huge, collectivization is not progressing fast enough, even comrade Heinrich Rantsch is clinging to his individual farm. Frieda fights for progress, even in her private life, because not only her burden but also her higher position is a thorn in her husband's side. During the wedding anniversary celebrations, Frieda is called to the LPG. This is the cause of the family quarrel that has been in the air for a long time. August demands her resignation. In vain - and so he moves in with Rantsch. Their daughter Helga also leaves the house because of the tensions. Frieda collapses. When she is in hospital, August comes to his senses.

Basing his work on documentary material, Andrew Thorndike tells the life story of Wilhelm Pieck: from young worker to fighter for the German working class, and from enemy of national-socialism to the first president of the German Democratic Republic.

"Route Casanova" is how people call the train driver Roland Diesler, as a love awaits him at almost every station. His colleague even has to carry out a plan extra so that there are no collisions between his rendezvous. However, when Roland looks at Ulla, the daughter of the station manager Bünau, this and father Diesler step in. They change the rosters of the two turtle doves so that they cannot see each other. But can the young couple be stopped by it?

A village in the Republic celebrated its traditional clover festival in the summer of 1976. In the form of a political feuilleton, the film conveys to the viewer the new attitude to life of the people in the countryside.

Biographical notes on the American singer, actor and civil rights activist Paul Robeson (1898-1976). At the height of his fame and skill, Robeson’s career was cut short by Cold War anti-communist hysteria. This documentary includes historic footage of the US civil rights movement; clips of Robeson’s speeches, performances and visits to East Germany (GDR) and the Soviet Union; and interviews with his son, Paul Robeson Jr., and the musicians and activists Harry Belafonte, Pete Seeger and Earl Robinson. Co-produced by the GDR’s DEFA Studio for Documentary Film and the West Berlin production company Chronos, with scenes shot in the U.S.

A poor woodcutter lived in the forest with his daughters Katrin and Else. Else was quarrelsome and lazy, Katrin was hard-working and good to people and animals. That is why the bear, the hare, the squirrel and the raven wanted to lead her to the forest house so that she could rescue the prince, who had been enchanted into an ancient man. Unfortunately, through unfortunate circumstances, the quarrelsome Else ended up in the forest house. Because she was lazy and unkind to the man and his animals, she was unable to redeem him and was punished. Only when the animals managed to escort Katrin into the forest house could everything be brought to a good end.

At a GDR farm, VEAB chief Amann bans cabbage in favor of cauliflower, enraging LPG accountant Gritt. Mistaking visiting writer Hans Brauer for a high-level inspector, Amann backpedals, clearing the harvest issue, while Brauer and Gritt spark an unexpected romance.

Two young boys are trying to organize a wedding of the father of one of them and the mother of the second.

17-year-old Susanne is a gymnast and has a chance to join the national team. But now, of all times, she is having problems in training. She can't manage the new dismount from the uneven bars. At the same time, she gets into other conflict situations: her performance at school is getting worse. Her ambitious mother, accustomed to her daughter's successes, does not show the necessary understanding. Her father, divorced from Susanne's mother and constantly traveling, is rarely there for her. Her boyfriend Michael, with whom she experiences her first love, soon has to join the army and feels neglected because Susanne has too little time for him. Her coach, however, shows understanding and stands by her side in conflict situations, which she eventually overcomes - and so her success in sport returns.

Portrait of a private coal company in East Berlin's Prenzlauer Berg district in 1988/89. The feisty woman boss runs the business with humour and understanding. Her seven male employees respect her. To the outside world, they are all tough guys, but as they describe their jobs and personal situations, above and beyond the hard manual labour, their vulnerability starts to come to light.

Kathe Kollwitz was 47 years old, and already a well established artist in Germany and abroad when Peter, her youngest son, volunteered to join the German army in WWI and was killed two weeks later. This painful tragedy changed Kollwitz's life and art forever.

Documents the work of youth work action on construction sites in East Berlin.

Experimental film

A little bumblebee is tired of her daily routine and the other boring bumblebees. She flies to the place of her dreams and meets a frog who is also seeking something new. Despite their differences, the two animals become friends and start their adventure together. This children’s animation film was a success in East German cinemas. Older viewers, however, saw it as a metaphor for their longing to escape – daily life, or even their walled-in country.

35-year old ballet soloist Peter ends his career as a performance dancer and, on the occasion of his last stage performance, looks back on his career and his life. Peter′s retrospection is centred on the relationship with his professional and romantic partner Lotte, who he had once met at a joint performance. Peter remembers the landmarks of their love: their marriage, their child, and Lotte′s severe illness that threatened to end her career. In flashbacks, the film shows how the couple survived this crisis by working sacrificially to return to the stage and celebrate international success.

The artists Käthe Kollwitz, Otto Dix and Otto Nagel used different forms of expression, but had the same goal: fight against war, against exploitation and for the liberation of oppressed people.

1982: East German actor Erwin Gregorek travels to Hamburg to shoot screen tests for a film about the sinking of the ocean-liner Cap Arcona in 1945 - a catastrophe he himself survived as a concentration camp prisoner.

After the workers’ revolt on June 17th, 1953 this film disappeared in the archives until 1997.

Two hands prepare a paper cutting... They create a tailor made from black cardboard and let him go into a paper world. He comes alive and together with the scissors, which created him, he wanders around.

Two men want to escape the hustle and bustle of Christmas in the city and travel to the countryside. However, it's not easy to find accommodation on the spur of the moment. And so they end up in a rather spartan hostel…

Two UFA employees travel by car from West Berlin to Potsdam's Sanssouci Palace together with Ministerial Director Schimmelpfennig to persuade Frederick II, who haunts the palace, to collaborate on a new film about himself. The daily newspaper Die Welt had already written about the fact that at the founding meeting of the new UFA, its director pointed out under the motto: "The old spirit lives" that the monumental film Fridericus Rex - Eleventh Part was a first contribution to the ideological armament of the Free World.

Three people from very different walks of life meet at a large construction site. Young, unmarried, self-confident construction manager Linda Hinrichs dedicates herself completely to her work and enjoys living more independently then most women. Daniel, a student works on the construction site to make money during his summer holiday, and impresses Linda with his spontaneous energy and idealism. Brigadier Böwe, an older, divorced man works his way from one construction site to the other and has lost his own personal happiness on the path to developing what was seen as officially suitable social standards. Both men try to win Linda over, not realizing that they are taking her freedom away from her.

The architectural plans for Berlin from 1938 are used as an example to illustrate the fascist claim to power and its aesthetic effect. The basis for this was the "General Building Inspection" under the direction of Albert Speer, whose enormous projects are illustrated by planning models and archive photographs.

A cowardly king becomes dependent on an evil prince who desires the king's daughter as his wife. As the princess does not want to marry, she is banished to a barren valley as a cattle maid. The king flees and the prince now rules the land with his robber journeymen. On his wanderings, journeyman Hans comes to the lonely valley and defeats the king's daughter's guards. On his further journey, he encounters destruction and devastation. He frees a miller and learns from him that the land can be redeemed from the cruel prince if a fearless person spends one night in the castle.

The criminalist Hannes Bergemann tries to blackmail the city where he spent his youth. After many years returning to the familiar places of his childhood, he hopes to meet again his old friends, especially Fred, Helmuth and Richard, with whom he had a close childhood friendship. When confronted with a murder shortly after his arrival and given the task of investigating it, he has the painful experience that his friends are involved in the case.

Two sisters enter the fairy tale realm of Frau Holle and must prove their diligence and helpfulness. The good and hardworking girl receives a golden dress. The lazy sister is given a dress made of pitch for her bad services. The pitch will only come off her when she has overcome her laziness.

Agathopulus loves his luxurious life. He does not want to be bothered with helping to rebuild a destroyed city. Instead, he invents machines and rationalizes the work flow. Although he is celebrated as a hero against his will, he has to escape.

Report from the party congress of the Liberal Democratic Party of Germany (LDPD) from April 5 to 7, 1982 in Weimar.

In a village, there is reason to gossip and mock. As a kind of reward, the workaholic tractor driver Andreas is sent on vacation for a few days before being called up for military service.

The film explores the visit of Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito to Germany, examining his political influence and interactions within the country. Utilizing archival footage and commentary, the documentary provides insight into Tito's presence in Germany during a pivotal time in Cold War Europe. The film highlights the relationships between East Germany and Yugoslavia, offering a glimpse into the geopolitical dynamics of the era.

The film deals with the infamous "Kommando 52", which was active in the 1960s civil war in the Congo and was recruited mainly from West German men. Among them is the former Wehrmacht officer Siegfried Müller. Based on personal accounts and original material - backed by tape recordings of interviewed mercenaries and photos of murdered Africans - it creates a hard hitting historical document.

Silvia and her boyfriend Lutz, both aged twenty, work as jockeys at a big racing stable and have their whole life in front of them. But while Lutz would like to get married and start a family, Silvia only thinks of her career. When she meets the charming veterinarian Clemens, her relationship with Lutz seems to come to an end. Driven by her burning ambition, Silvia causes an accident one day in which her favorite horse dies. Only now, the young woman seems to come to her senses. Silvia realizes that she must face criticism and scrutinize her selfish actions.

A film about the Germany meeting at Pentecost 1964. It focuses on questions and answers from young Germans from East and West during a club discussion.

A little girl who is eagerly awaiting the day she starts school falls ill and misses the big moment. Her disappointment is alleviated by loving parents and friends.

A close film adaptation of Johann Strauss' "Fledermaus". Notary Falke uses Prince Orlofsky's ball, at which the distinguished gentlemen of Viennese society enjoy themselves with the opera's ballet girls, to take revenge on Dr. Eisenstein, who once embarrassed him after a drinking bout. Falke also invites Eisenstein's wife Rosalinde. During the lavish party, Eisenstein courts his own wife, who is disguised as a Hungarian countess. In the morning, he hurries to prison to serve a short sentence. His indignation is great when a Dr. Eisenstein is already sitting there. He had been taken from his wife's arms the night before. He makes a scene for Rosalinde, but she convicts him of infidelity with the Hungarian countess.

How the human right to freedom, dignity and inviolability are represented in practice - from the Middle Ages to the present day.

A consciously modern depiction of working women in East Germany – labourers and managers in a garment factory talk about relationships and family planning, raising children and career qualifications, women’s rights and equality in the socialist (meritocratic) society. In conversations with a doctor, the women also have a chance to voice their personal concerns, as well as their feelings about the birth control pill, a subject that caused a stir at the time.

A very little man attacks two huge feet and fights with all his power against them until his downfall. While dying, he is still convinced that he is the winner. However, the feet continue running like nothing happened.

Report on a trip of Vietnamese guests to the GDR to attend the premiere of the documentary film „The Iron Fortress“ about the history of the Vietnam War.

70 days after the government decision to build the Schwarze Pumpe combine, the foundation stone is laid. Trick explains the project and its individual construction stages.

Princess Josephine certainly has her moods and idiosyncrasies. Her father, King Eduard, misunderstands her one day and believes he has to look for a husband for his daughter. He decides on the court music teacher Adelung. But Josephine is against it; she wants a man as a husband who can play the grumbling iron. But then she falls in love with the king of the neighboring kingdom, Jonathan, who in turn only wants a wife who can bake peppernuts.

The epilogue to the film "The Laughing Man" (1966), which alternates between objectivity and anger, exposes the involvement of the West German mercenary Siegfried Müller in the war against the Congolese government Lumumba. In the sequel, new witnesses against Major Müller have their say, including a former school friend and a French paratrooper colonel. GDR lawyer Kaul reports on the status of the criminal proceedings against Müller, while the final images show the war criminal feeding the ducks in South Africa.

An old widower comes up with a plan to not spend Christmas alone.

"Das Märchenschloss" is a children’s film based on a picture book by Fred Rodian. It tells the story of three brothers - Klaus, Günter, and Peter - who head out into the world to meet their dreams. While Klaus dreams of a combine harvester, Günther dreams of a tractor. Little Peter, however, yearns for something completely different: a fairytale castle.