Synopsis:

The first film from the DEFA Studio deals with the topic of normalization of life after WW II. Susanne is a photographer who survived a concentration camp. She returns to her apartment after the war and finds it occupied by the depressive surgeon Hans. His home was destroyed in the war and he refuses to leave so they start living together. Everything seems to be improving until Hans finds out that his former commander, who is responsible for death of many hundreds of women, men and children, liv...

digital, b/w, 81 min

PROJECTION:

Friday 11.12.2009 AT 19:00

Thursday 10.12.2009 AT 21:00

Synopsis:

Several men are moved from the concentration camp in Auschwitz to Buchenwald. With them arrives a suitcase in which a four-year-old boy hides. Knowing that the allied forces are nearing the camp and will free them soon, the captives decide to hide the boy who will be murdered if he is found. While the Nazis search the camp, the hidden boy becomes their symbol of hope. The film is based on Bruno Apitz’s autobiographical novel.

16 mm, b/w, 124 min

PROJECTION:

Saturday 12.12.2009 AT 19:00

Friday 11.12.2009 AT 21:00

Synopsis:

Foreman Hannes Balla leads a group of twenty workers in a state-owned construction site. Even though they work hard, they know how to have a good time and sometimes can be even vulgar about it. Therefore, the Party sends the secretary Werner Horrath to keep an eye on them and try to discipline them. Besides him, the other newcomer on the building site is the young and ambitious technician Kati. Soon, a love triangle forms. Three days after the premiere, the film was banned and unavailable for vi...

digital, b/w, 129 min

PROJECTION:

Monday 14.12.2009 AT 19:00

Saturday 12.12.2009 AT 21:15

Synopsis:

Based on the director Konrad Wolf’s autobiography, the film tells the story of a young soldier of the red Army. At the age of eight, Gregor and his family ran away from Germany to Russia and now at the end of WW II, he is in Berlin on the enemy’s side. He is forced to fight against people from his former country and has to find a way to come to terms with his past.

b/w, HD, 115'

PROJECTION:

Tuesday 15.12.2009 AT 19:00

Monday 14.12.2009 AT 21:15

Synopsis:

Margit, a thirty-year-old mother of two, has two failed marriages behind her. She is a mathematician, valued by her colleagues, she earns enough for her family and still she’s missing something in her life: a partner. After her first marriage to her college professor and the second to a blind musician, she meets the third love of her life, her colleague Hrdlitschk. Unfortunately, he does not notice her at all…

digital, color, 111 min

PROJECTION:

Wednesday 16.12.2009 AT 19:00

Tuesday 15.12.2009 AT 21:00

Synopsis:

This cult East German film from the 1970s is still popular today. It is a love story about Paul and Paula. He is occupied with his career and unhappily married. She is a single mother who works hard and is unhappy in her life. They meet in a café and feel attracted to each other. However, Paul does not easily make the choice between his marriage and a possible relationship with Paula.

35mm, b/w and color, 109 min

PROJECTION:

Thursday 17.12.2009 AT 19:00

Wednesday 16.12.2009 AT 21:00

Synopsis:

This is the only film from DEFA Film Studio to have been nominated for an Oscar. This war drama tells the story of Jakob Heym from the Jewish ghetto in Warsaw during the war. One evening, he is taken to the police station where he overhears news about the advances of the Soviet army towards central Europe. Upon his return to the ghetto he tells the news to his friend Mischa claiming that he himself has a radio. Since lying is not allowed in the ghetto, Jakob has to continue coming up with fresh...

35mm, color, 100 min

PROJECTION:

Friday 18.12.2009 AT 19:00

Thursday 17.12.2009 AT 21:00

Synopsis:

This is a historical drama about the relationship between professor Jakob Paul von Gundling and the Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm I who ruled in the first half of 18th century. A professor of literature, law and history as well as the court historian, the professor is aware that his position depends greatly upon his opinions and ideals, which are often put to the test.

16 mm, color, 108 min

PROJECTION:

Saturday 19.12.2009 AT 19:00

Friday 18.12.2009 AT 21:00

Synopsis:

Sunny is a singer in a band from East Berlin living a chaotic life, constantly on the road and performing. Even though she is thus alone, she knows very well what she wants and does not accept compromises. When she refuses Norbert’s flirting, he throws her out of their band and Sunny has to start a solo career. At the same time she starts a relationship with Ralph, a philosophy student.

35mm, color, 100 min

PROJECTION:

Monday 21.12.2009 AT 19:00

Saturday 19.12.2009 AT 21:00

Synopsis:

Philip is a schoolteacher in a relationship with Tanja, a colleague from work. Even though in his youth he was attracted to men, because of his surroundings he had to suppress those feelings. He decides to start living with Tanja. One day waiting to buy the tickets for a concert, he meets Matthias and falls in love. The film had its premiere on the day of the fall of the Berlin wall, on November 9, 1989.

35mm, color, 112 min

PROJECTION:

Wednesday 23.12.2009 AT 19:00

Tuesday 22.12.2009 AT 19:00