DEFA-Studio für Trickfilme

The very first images in the film set unprecedented standards in East German animated film: a Buñuelean eye that fills the entire screen, real-life sequences of fleeing animals and a sound collage running contrary to what is seen on the screen. This also extends to the protagonist of the film, a head on a foot without a body or arms who pads wearily through the depressing surroundings. Upon seeing various figures in the sky, he begins to copy their movements. To his surprise, he himself manages to grow wings and takes to the skies. But his attempt at flight ends in a sobering manner however, as it is revealed that flying creatures are just restricted in their range.

For the multimedia exhibition Tangenten I (Tangents I), Dammbeck and co-organizer, sculptor and painter Frieder Heinze had planned to collaborate on a film that would combine non-camera animation with 35mm footage of a train ride between the two Dresden districts of Radebeul and Pieschen. When the exhibition was banned in 1978, Heinze turned to other projects, but Dammbeck continued working on the film by himself. Metamorphoses I—the first experimental film ever to be shown publicly in East Germany—marks the filmic beginning of Dammbeck’s long-term art project the Herakles-Konzept (Hercules Concept).

Animated fairy tale about the mountain ghost Rübezahl and his dealing with a thieving shoemaker.

With the young Friedrich Engel’s letters and drawings from the years between 1838 and 1842, a unique cinematic portrait is created. The viewer thus gets to know the young Engels personally, learning about the significant moments of his development from a bourgeois-liberal upbringing to the theoretical partner of Karl Marx. Later be awarded the Gold Dove at the International Leipzig Documentary and Short Film Week.

Kasperle and a group of his puppet friends prepare for his grandmother's birthday-but a little green devil threatens to intervene. He steals the donuts for Kasperle's grandmother, and the other puppets chase him to get them back...

This short, animated piece of agitprop fiercely expresses the hopes of the Chilean people.

The film shows a humorous take on moments from the life of Karl Marx over the course of a quarter century.

The first animated feature film made in East Germany. The people of Shilda were once welcome at the courts of princes all over the world, but back at the Shilda castle work remained and had to be carried out by the women of the town. The women grew tired of this and called their men back. After many foolish decisions, the townspeople were victims of their own devices, and eventually set fire to their own city. The fire destroyed everything, and the citizens of Shilda fled out into the world.

A little beetle plans to take revenge on an eagle family for killing his friends. Although the eagle family teams up with the powerful Zeus, the little beetle finds a cunning way to fight them.

What would happen if Hitler came back to West Germany after passing the statute of limitations for Nazi crimes on January 1, 1965? Based on West German laws, he would not only be able to reclaim his private property, but also a restitution. In addition, he could demand to get his power back and the reintegration of German areas into the Reich.

A young merchant's son spends his entire fortune to be able to throw lavish parties with his cronies. All he has left in the end is an old magic suitcase that can be used to fly.

Puppets play the story based on the famous children's song.

For his mockery a witch transforms the pert boy Jacob into an ugly dwarf, but teaches him at the same time how to cook. Jacob quickly becomes a master of his trade and is named the prince's first cook. Only the mysterious herb "sneeze-with-passion" is unknown to him. Based on a fairy tale by Wilhelm Hauff.

A nasty witch has stolen the Princess’ beautiful face. When the three little bunnies try to help the Princess, they also get bewitched and experience an adventurous chase. Only after the witch loses the magical crystal are the Princess and her friends saved.