GDR Cinema: Between Ideology and Reality

All societies harness the power of images for their own purposes. With the invention of cinematography, they became an integral part of influencing politics. Solid training for film professionals across all sectors is a prerequisite for quality, yet a great deal of individual creativity is also required. If this creativity displeased party leaders, even a film that had already been heavily “censored” and completed could be barred from screening. In the GDR, such films were shelved. In the 1960s, more than ten GDR films featuring renowned directors and actors suffered this fate. Some high-quality films were nonetheless successful and won international awards, while others were highly ideological and did not adhere strictly to historical facts. The speaker will discuss this topic, providing background information and examples of films.

• Tickets are available at the tourist information offices


• at www.kaiserbaeder-auf-usedom.de


• Admission: €5.00