Es lebe die R...

The viewpoints of women from a country that no longer exists preserved on low-band U-matic tape. GDR-FRG. Courageous, self-confident and emancipated: female industry workers talk about gaining autonomy.

Ost/​West – Relikte einer Grenze

Short film about astronauts in the GDR

JUNI 53

At Hotel Astoria, the former hotspot of Leipzig, guests were served champagne and turtle soup while the Stasi listened in. Animated memories from times gone by.

In a world divided by the Iron Curtain, East Germany sought to carve its niche in the technological race. Enter "Robotron" - a name that seamlessly blended "robot" and "electronics." This wasn't just a brand; it was an ambitious answer to the West's technological advancements, a testament to the GDR’s drive to match, if not surpass, Western innovation. Drawing inspiration from the corporate giants of the West, the GDR‘s government merged various businesses to form this tech behemoth. With 16 major hubs in Central Germany alone, it was clear: "Robotron" was to be the DDR's technological crown jewel. But what was the Socialist Unity Party (SED), the GDR's ruling party, envisioning with this grand venture? How did "Robotron" navigate the challenges of operating within a socialist planned economy, while striving for global excellence? And as it grew to dominate East Germany's tech landscape, why did it always seem to be one step behind the leading global tech powers?

Documents the remodeling of the Ostbahnhof in Berlin Friedrichshain into the central station of the GDR.

Interview with Jochen Girke, a retired East German Stasi agent, filmed March, 1990 to June, 1991. Questions explore his study of psychology for use as a filmmaker and trainer of interrogators and informers. Segments include conversations with his parents, teacher, former girlfriend and wife.

Erich Honecker visits the Republic of Zambia

Documents the work of youth work action on construction sites in East Berlin.

The army of the GDR, called NVA had not survived the reunification of Germany, it was completely absorbed by the Bundeswehr and scrapped subsequently. But what apparently went on so smoothly as a peaceful unification of hostile brothers quietly left deep scars in the East German landscape.

Short film about the GDR state border

East German short film

GDR, August 1989: Hanna and Andreas became a target of the secret police and had to give up their plans for their future studies and desired professions. Instead, they face arbitrariness, mistrust and reprisals. Their only chance for a self-determined life lies in fleeing across the Baltic Sea. Fifty kilometres of water separate them from freedom - and only a thin connecting rope around their wrists saves them from absolute loneliness.

Erich Kasulke and Rudolf Portmann are comedian stars of the former GDR. When the Wall falls, so does their success. Portmann becomes a successful businessman, while Kasulke tries to continue working on the comedy circuit - without success. When his wife also cheats on him, he decides to start a new life in Berlin. There he quickly meets his old friend Portmann, who has built up a huge company. He offers him a job. But Erich puts the entire company in danger...

All his life, Michael Hartung, owner of a hopelessly debt-ridden video store, has bet on the wrong horse. When an ambitious journalist confronts him with the results of his research, everything changes for the charmingly melancholy Micha. Many years ago, as an employee of the Reichsbahn, he is said to have organized the largest mass escape in the GDR. Stasi files prove the case. He was apparently even imprisoned and then deported to an open-cast lignite mine. Seduced by a lavish salary, Micha confirms the story, although only fragments of it are true.

Auf der Suche nach dem Glück

Newly born baby Charles (future King Charley III) shown by the proud parents.

Carmen was born in 1935. As a child, she watched how they took members of her family away. After 14 years as a cloistered nun, she managed to get expelled from it. She promised herself to own her life. Today, she is 86 years old, and she is going to make a decision: to commit suicide.

Think Thank's most mind numbing, heart stopping freestyle snowboard video ever! Brain Dead Heart Attack marked a decade of snowboard videos for Think Thank, which was always one of the goals when it started. The concept was that the Brain Dead side would feature the dudes who have been around awhile at least in Think Thank videos, some of whom were quite literally brain dead. Heart Attack side would be the launch pad precursor for the new faces who would go on to film for Think Thank Almanac. We were moving out of the brain and into the heart; the heart of a new era of Think Thank, a crew of friends snowboarding together and filming each other, much like how it started 10 years ago.