Joachim Pape

Optimistische Tragödie

The film tells the story of the smelter brigade of a steel mill whose members are connected by a strong comradeship. Among the workers are, for instance, young Rolf, whom everybody just calls "Lachtaube" and who always comes through for his co-workers, or the likable Hubert, who works as a simple smelter again after being dismissed as the head of the steel mill. Then, there is also the stubborn Manfred, who should have become a brigadier long ago because of his experience and his competence, but this privilege is refused to him because Manfred is not a party member. Ironically, it is Manfred who hears by accident about the plans of the mill to close down the old Martin furnaces – and to lay off the smelters. When the other men learn about the plans they enter the barricades for their jobs and force the plant′s management to face the workers′ demands and criticism.

Frank and Kamminke study informatics in Leipzig and have developed a program that enables a computer to automatically find and correct errors in its software. Freshly graduated, they are relocated to a remote Thuringian village after causing a computer breakdown. There, they are supposed to work in a small company that has no clue of economic management. The rather helpful computer system from West Germany plainly lacks compatible software. But Frank and Kamminke are not allowed to work with the hardware, although it is them who could make most out of the complex system. Eventually, and with the help of consultant Petra whom both are in love with, they break into the system control room on New Year′s Eve and start up the computer with their special program.

Mein lieber Mann und ich

Rheinsberg

Slovakian villagers towards the end of WW II are despairing as German troops fall back to their village.

Amor holt sich nasse Füße

On the occasion of their daughter's birth, the king and queen give a lavish feast. Among the guests are twelve fairies who endow the infant in the cradle with all good qualities. As the king loathes diligence, he does not invite the thirteenth fairy - the fairy of diligence. A captain lets her slip into the castle and she casts a spell on Sleeping Beauty, wishing death upon her. The twelfth fairy transforms and mitigates the spell. On the day she turns fifteen, the princess is to sink into a hundred-year sleep after pricking her finger on a spindle.

Maria tells her former colleague, Hanna, that she has undergone a cancer operation but is now cured. Soon after, she suffers a relapse. The doctors believe that she should be told the truth about her condition, and Hanna is willing to do so. For Maria, it is the beginning of several long, agonizing weeks until she is ready to accept that she has only a very small amount of time left to live. In the meantime, Hanna has to decide how she can help her friend die; an almost unbearable decision, but once made she carries it out to the last consequence.

Vera – The Hard Way to Enlightenment

Philipp, a closeted teacher, is dating a female colleague to keep up appearances. One night he stumbles into a gay bar and falls for a man. Transformed by this love, he is no longer afraid to face up to who he is.

Der Lude

The story of a young German boy and his father who befriend a Jewish family during WWII.

Little Nelli is a clever and cunning child. As her parents are both working, her grandmother has to care for her. But her grandmother is no match to Nelly. Out on the street, Nelli also calls the tune and becomes the kids’ favourite with her brash pranks. But when Nelli enters day nursery, the situation changes completely. Suddenly, Nelli is no longer at the centre of attention and starts to upset the group with her aggressive stubbornness and to revolt against the rules.

Visa für Ocantros

Herbstzeit

Sister Agnes helps in all situations and does not only make friends. She has just fallen out with the new mayor. The consequences leave an entire community upside down.

Das letzte Wort

Two part movie about Einstein's escape from Germany in 1932 and his influence in the invention of the nuclear bomb in 1939.

On a forest road in the Brandenburg March, village teacher Potsch accidentally encounters the distinguished Professor Menzel, who got stuck there in his car. In the conversation that ensues, Menzel and Pötsch quickly discover that they both are great admirers of the early 19th-century writer Max von Schwedenow who was born in the area.

Popelka, a resourceful and independent young girl, is a servant in her stepmother's house and confides in her closest friend the owl. When she comes across three magical acorns, she's granted a single wish for each one of them.

The young communist Artur Becker fights with the Interbrigades against the Franco putschists during the Spanish Civil War. He had experienced his baptism of fire in Germany at the time of the Weimar Republic during the Kapp Putsch. He was seriously wounded and arrested. After an unsuccessful escape attempt, he was interrogated several times by Spanish and German putschists and then shot.

Polizeiruf 110 is a long-running German language detective television series. The first episode was broadcast 27 June 1971 in the German Democratic Republic, and after the dissolution of Fernsehen der DDR the series was picked up by ARD. It was originally created as a counterpart to the West German series Tatort, and quickly became a public favorite.

Rottenknechte is a 1971 East German five part television film directed by Frank Beyer. The first part premiered on 08.01.1971 on the East German public DFF1, with the other four parts being shown in the same month. The film concentrates on the last days of the German navy during World War II.