Karl-Eduard von Schnitzler

Revolution am Telefon - Eine Dokumentation zum 20. Juli 1944

East German documentary about the 20 July plot.

You and Many a Comrade

An East German documentary that uses archival footage to trace a direct line from Imperial Germany through the Weimar Republic and the Third Reich to the Federal Republic of West Germany in the 1950s. Intended as a critique of continuity in German politics, the film was banned in West Germany for many years.

The Seven from the Rhine

Die Sieben vom Rhein (The Seven from the Rhine) (1954) is an East German documentary directed by Andrew and Annelie Thorndike. The 76-minute film follows seven West German workers from the Ruhr region as they visit a steel factory in Riesa, East Germany, as part of the "Germans at the Same Table" campaign. Through their experiences, the documentary promotes unity and understanding between workers from both sides of the divided Germany. Produced by DEFA Studio für Dokumentarfilme, the film is recognized for its strong political messaging and masterful storytelling.

Look at this City

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.

Bruce Springsteen: Live in East Berlin

In front of audience estimated to be 500,000, The Boss performs a historic show

Der schwarze Kanal

Der schwarze Kanal was a series of political propaganda programmes broadcast weekly between 1960 and 1989 by East German television. Each edition was made up of recorded extracts from recent West German television programmes re-edited to include a Communist commentary.