Ulrich Rulf

In works like “Guide Dog Ruepel” (1962), Bärbl Bergmann was the first feature film director in the GDR to portray children in their often pitiless but also honest dealings with each other, something that was almost impossible in the documentary films of that period. But she also managed to sneak lessons on how to pursue educational goals with creative obstinacy into popular science films. Thus her educational piece about two boys who discover that magic, too, requires hard work, despite its rational approach, is far from disenchanting: The protagonists reach their conclusion via detours that take them through mysterious corridors, furtive looks through keyholes and bewitching dreams.

Photo reporters Rolf and Karin travel the country in search of the best motifs for a new travel calendar. When they happen to pass by the filming of "A Year Full of Music", the theme for the calendar is found. Over the course of the seasons, they take pictures of popular music artists such as Gilbert Bécaud, Thomas Lück and Etta Cameron in the most beautiful places in the country, from the Baltic Sea to Berlin and the Thuringian Forest.