Rolf Schnabel

Ernst Thälmann - Deutschlands unsterblicher Sohn

A biographical documentary about Ernst Thälmann.

Das Attentat auf Hitler

East German documentary about the 20 July plot.

Das Attentat auf Hitler

East German documentary about the 20 July plot.

Ich war ja auch wer - Chefkoch Hermann Reußner, Jahrgang 1891, erzählt aus seinem Leben

A life story from a bygone era. In a retirement home, the 90-year-old Hermann Reußner tells his story. He was born in 1891 in Dessau, back when a duke still reigned there. As a soldier under the German emperor, he participated in World War I. Reußner talks about his beginnings as a cook in the famous hotel Adlon at the Pariser Platz in Berlin. Later, he was head chef there for 30 years. This private life story gets impressively illustrated with photos and film footage.

Unser Fliegerkosmonaut

Sigmund Jähn, (East) Germany's first man in space, and the preparations for the space flight are portrayed.

Erinnern Sie sich?

Found Footage film made up from historical films produced at DEFA.

Erinnern Sie sich?

Found Footage film made up from historical films produced at DEFA.

Sommer, Sonne, AK 8

This documentary, intended to inspire new home filmmakers, tells the stories of ordinary people who learned how to make their own films by renting inexpensive AK 8 cameras. A young couple documents their vacation on the Baltic Sea, a garden plot community celebrates a party, and comrades from a sports club even film themselves playing cards underwater. The film's sarcastically humerous commentary on everyday life plays with clichés and taboos.