Rediscovered movies found in the German State Film Archive
In the heart of Cold War history and East German culture, a trove of hidden films offers an uncensored insight into the realities of everyday life in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) during the 1970s and 1980s. These covert documentaries or amateur footage, often referred to as "illegal films" or "hidden East German documentaries," were produced by filmmakers and citizens who dared to capture something more truthful about GDR life but had to keep them secret due to the risk of censorship or persecution.
The State Film Documentation, a department of the GDR Film Archive, was responsible for producing these films between 1971 and 1986. The entire collection is now available online in the digital reading room of the Federal Archives, a testament to the significance of these films for historians.
One of the most fascinating aspects of these hidden films is their focus on everyday life in the GDR. From housing conditions, which were a significant issue due to a housing shortage, to working processes and conditions in various industries, these films provide a raw, authentic look into the lives of ordinary East Germans.
For instance, a report on the Berlin Waste Management offers a tour of a garbage truck through the Prenzlauer Berg, providing a unique perspective on the city's waste management system. Another report focuses on VEB Elektrokohle Berlin, the only manufacturer of graphite products in the GDR, and highlights the outdated machine park.
The State Film Documentation also produced "person documentaries" about important personalities of public life. A filmed conversation between Wilhelm Girnus, Günther Rücker, and Wolfgang Kohlhaase discusses the freedom of art and the necessity of allowing differing opinions.
These hidden films, while never publicly shown, have been digitized and archived by film institutes and cultural organizations such as the German Federal Archives, DEFA Film Library at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and the Stiftung Deutsche Kinemathek. For online access, you can explore these platforms, which sometimes offer online streaming or can guide you to physical or digital copies of these hidden films.
In recent times, a selection of these documentaries was presented at the Berlin Zeughaus Cinema for the first time, offering a rare opportunity for the general public to witness these hidden aspects of East German history. As these films continue to be uncovered and shared, they serve as a reminder of the past and a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of the GDR era.
What was the focus of the hidden East German films produced between 1971 and 1986? They offered a raw, authentic look into the lives of ordinary East Germans, revealing aspects of their lifestyle, including housing conditions, working processes, and even waste management at home and in the garden.
