The classic love story is not easy to find in the long line of well-known DEFA productions. Topics such as society, work and politics also shaped the romantic film genre in the GDR. On the occasion of Valentine’s Day on February 14th, we look back on three extraordinary and sometimes controversial cinematic romances.
1. The legend of Paul and Paula (1973)
The advertising poster from 1973 reflects the colorful hippie aesthetic of the production design. © DEFA Foundation
–
With “The Legend of Paul and Paula” from 1973, director Heiner Carow and screenwriter Ulrich Plenzdorf have created a fascinating love story full of carefree love scenes. For many film fans it is still one of DEFA’s most famous and most famous love films.
Longings, dreams and the harsh reality of socialism
Paul and Paula couldn’t be more different – he works as an official for the state, she works at the till in a department store. The first time they consciously meet at a party in East Berlin, they are both dissatisfied with their lives. Paul (Winfried Glatzeder) is unhappily married and is betrayed by his wife; and Paula (Angelica Domröse) lives alone with two children and dreams of great love. They begin a passionate affair that makes the real world with all its difficulties disappear. While Paula surrenders directly to being carefree in love, Paul remains aloof for the time being for fear of the possible consequences. After the two of them are hit by severe blows of fate, Paul finally admits his feelings for Paula and the two become a couple. But love cannot save their happiness either. [1]
An excerpt from one of the many dream scenes in the film: Paul (Winfried Glatzeder) and Paula (Angelica Domröse) in a bed of flowers. © DEFA Foundation
–
Realistic social criticism
What at first glance seems like a harmless love story is actually a creatively practiced cultural criticism of social conventions and life in the GDR. In addition, the filmmakers spared no effort in presenting the ailing buildings and everyday supply problems to openly address the grievances in everyday life in the GDR. It is therefore hardly surprising that at the time there was heated discussion about a ban on film. [2]
The film “The Legend of Paul and Paula” can currently be viewed free of charge in the MDR media library via the following link: https://www.mdr.de/video/mdr-videos/filme/video-die-legende-von-paul-und-paula100.html
2. Hot Summer (1968)
Film posters from “Hot Summer” from 1968 – left: traditionally hand-drawn, right: photographically. © DEFA Foundation
–
The music film “Hot Summer” has also played its way into the hearts of its audience. The production from the Babelsberg studios, which is now regarded as a cult, achieved one of the largest audience figures for DEFA and is therefore one of the most successful films made in the GDR. The cheerful summer story is musically accompanied by many hits from the pen of Gerd and Thomas Natschinski.
Kai (Frank Schöbel) and Brit (Regine Albrecht) dance together and sing “But catch the beam”. © DEFA Foundation
–
Summer vacation on the Baltic Sea
On the way to the summer vacation, eleven high school students from Leipzig repeatedly meet ten boys from Karl-Marx-Stadt. Coincidentally, they all end up in the same village on the Baltic Sea, which causes a stir. At first the groups tease each other with cheeky pranks, but the first love affairs are not long in coming and the boys and girls get closer. Filled with exciting triangular relationships, jealousy and carefree childhood love, in the midst of the wonderful summery backdrop of the Baltic Sea, the “Johannistal Group” created a summer adventure that is now mainly associated with the singing duo Frank Schöbel (as Kai) and Chris Doerk (as Stupsi). [3]
The Prague Spring is followed by a hot summer
Kai (Frank Schöbel) and Wolf (Hanns-Michael Schmidt) are in love with the same girl and fall apart. © DEFA Foundation
–
“Hot Summer” is one of the most popular youth and music films of its time. The carefree and lightheartedness of the plot seemed to spur the success of the film, but it also raised reservations: some critics saw the emphasized feeling of freedom not only as a propagated ideal of the GDR youth, but also as a constructed counter-image to the unstable political situation in summer 1968. [4]
3. Seven Freckles (1978)
The advertising poster for the film “Seven Freckles” from 1978. © DEFA Foundation
–
With “Seven Freckles”, director Herrmann Zschoche told a sensitive story that would be classified as “Coming-of-Age” today. Occupied with young amateur actors, the sensitive story about a first love in 1978 delighted an audience of millions and – not least because of the nude scenes of the actors – became a cult film after a short time.
With “Romeo and Juliet” in the summer camp
14-year-old Karoline and 15-year-old Robbi have known each other from childhood. After many years they meet again in a summer camp. A tender love relationship emerges, but the two youngsters find it difficult to admit the feelings to each other. Within their strictly regulated daily program in the holiday camp, they create space for themselves and get physically close during these hours. When the group supervisor Benedikt inspires the young people for Shakespeare’s drama “Romeo and Juliet”, it seems as if the young lovers get to know their own feelings for each other better by dealing with the classic material. [5]
A scene from the controversially discussed film “Seven Freckles”. © DEFA Foundation
–
Conscious breaking of taboos
Due to the delicately but explicitly shown naked young people, “Seven Freckles” was considered worthy of discussion. In view of the film photos in the showcases in front of the cinemas, many parents spoke of banning their children from watching films. This did not detract from the success of the romance. On the contrary: With “Green Wedding” a feature film was released ten years later, which is considered a continuation of “Seven Freckles” and leads the audience into the love story of the now 17 and 18 year old protagonists. [6]
In which cinema did you see the film “Hot Summer”? What memories do you associate with “The Legend of Paul and Paula”? Share your cinema experiences from GDR times on our virtual research platform and help us to keep this unique cinema culture from being forgotten: https://projekte.uni-erfurt.de/kinoinderddr/.
Individual evidence:
[1] MDR (2020). The legend of Paul and Paula. Retrieved on January 31, 2020 from: https://www.mdr.de/tv/programm/sendung880558.html
[2] Kürten, J. (2010). “The legend of Paul and Paula”. Retrieved on January 31, 2020 from: https://www.dw.com/de/die-legende-von-paul-und-paula/a-5358649
[3] Programm.ARD.de (2020). Hot summer. Retrieved on January 31, 2020 from: https://programm.ard.de/TV/Programm/Sender/?sendung=28229397349023
[4] Facon, E. (2018). 1968 in the GDR – The hot summer ended in tears. Retrieved on January 31, 2020 from: https://www.srf.ch/kultur/gesellschaft-religion/wochenende-gesellschaft/1968-in-der-ddr-der-heisse-sommer-endete-in-traenen
[5] Zschoche, Herrmann. (2002), Seven Freckles and Other Memories. Berlin: Verlag Neues Berlin.
[6] Habel, F.-B. (2000). The great lexicon of DEFA feature films, Berlin: Schwarzkopf & Schwarzkopf, p.221f.
–
