DEFA-Studio für Wochenschau und Dokumentarfilme

A moving short portrait of Karl Marx’s family and their living conditions during their time in London.

A locomotive journey traversing the North to the South of the German Democratic Republic on the eve of its dissolution. Labourers, punks, mothers, intellectuals, young and old are implored to reflect on their life choices, the sacrifices they've made, and their place in the world. Despite everything, hope persists.

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.

Started in the summer of 1961, even before the Wall was built, the film becomes an explanation after this historical event as to why things can no longer go on as they were before. Unmistakably, as in almost all of Karl Gass' films, the passion with which he treats his subject is unmistakable. If you want to get to know the zeitgeist of the historically significant year 1961, which on both sides knew more the Cold War vocabulary than factual arguments, you can see the Eastern variant in this propaganda film.

Impressions of a playground in Berlin. It is also the playing field of the elderly chess and card players - counterpoint to the argument of isolation and emptiness in old age.

Journalist Daniela Dahn interviews the East-German author Christa Wolf during the German reunification: reflections on history, changing politics, life and work.

Documentary short about the Leipzig Tradefair in 1946.

This short film depicts Omega, one of Hungary's most successful rock bands, on tour in the GDR.

Das russische Wunder (The Russian Miracle) (1963) is a two-part East German documentary directed by Annelie and Andrew Thorndike. The documentary chronicles Russia’s dramatic transformation from the Tsarist Empire to the Soviet Union, covering key historical moments including the 1917 October Revolution and the rise of Soviet communism. Through the use of archival footage, the film explores the socio-political upheavals that reshaped Russia and culminates in the achievements of the Soviet space program. Produced by DEFA, it was first broadcast on East German television in 1963, offering an insightful look at Russia's 20th-century evolution.

Urlaub auf Sylt (Vacation in Sylt) (1957) is an East German documentary directed by Annelie and Andrew Thorndike. The film investigates the past of Heinz Reinefarth, a former SS general involved in the suppression of the Warsaw Uprising, who later became the mayor of Westerland on the island of Sylt. Using archival footage and contemporary interviews, the documentary exposes Reinefarth’s wartime crimes and critiques his post-war political career in West Germany. Produced by DEFA, the film serves as a sharp indictment of former Nazi officials holding public office after World War II.

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.

Documentary short about Hungarian poet Miklós Radnóti (1909-1944).

In view of the rapidly advancing development of technology, the film draws attention to the fact that people will not be able to manage without knowledge and skills. A boy breaks into a computer station and, by operating it incorrectly, causes chaos at an agricultural production cooperative.

Sixth Wittstock film. This Wittstock film, co-produced by the French broadcaster La Sept, begins in 1990. Koepp shows the consequences of reunification and the economic and social upheavals in East Germany. The state-owned knitwear factory is privatized. Edith is the first of the film's protagonists to lose her job. She helped bring about the changes and left the SED, the GDR's ruling party, in September 1989. The three women agree that things could not continue as they were. Although they were all members of the SED and the upheavals hit them hard. Edith is in her mid-30s, as is "Stubsi," alias Elsbeth. Elsbeth is one of a group of 17 out of 80 workers who are allowed to keep their jobs. For now. Renate is laid off shortly after her 50th birthday and after 36 years of working in textile production. One of her daughters moved to the West before the end of the GDR. A good decision, Renate thinks.

Two narrators read the letters of unknown people and tell about the fate of individuals, their work, love and life.

The documentary deals with the subject of "big city noise" in a humorous and satirical, but also serious way, using the example of East Berlin, whereby the main focus is on noise that disturbs peace and quiet, i.e. noise that can be avoided, such as recklessly listening to loud music and watching television, clearly audible inner-family communication, dogs barking, nocturnal DIY work, rapid braking and honking of vehicle horns, etc. With the help of animations/animated scenes, the film vividly demonstrates the widespread interpersonal bad habits.

Ribnitz-Damgarten, the jewel at the coast of the Baltic Sea, is located directly at the Saaler Bodden, between Stralsund and Rostock. The town and its surrounding area are made for vacationing. This documentary from 1989 also shows the other side, like, for example, how the increasing population density and the industrial production influence the ecological balance of the region. A community for the protection of the Bodden landscape is actively making an effort for conservation. At the institute for deep-sea fishery, research about the fish population is conducted, and agriculture as well is looking for solutions to preserve an intact environment.

Volker Koepp documents life in the Dorotheenstadt in Berlin-Mitte, which was called "Feuerland" in the 19th century.

A documentary dedicated to the 10th World Festival of Youth and Students held in East Berlin in the summer of 1973.

Documents important parts of the East German rock music scene of the late 1980s, from well-established bands like Silly, to underground rock bands like Feeling B. This road movie features young people using music to express their take on life, opposition to their parents' generation and opinions on the social and political climate in East Germany. It includes clips from concerts and interviews with fans and members of various bands, such as Feeling B's Christian Lorenz and Paul Landers, now members of Rammstein.