General Information

Original Title

Das war die DDR, Teil 3: Geist und Macht

Author/Creator

Nickel, Gitta, director.

Published

Germany, 1993.

Physical Description

VHS (90 min.)

Digital ver. identifier

HU_OSA_00002099

Contents/Summary

Summary

This television documentary series offers the most comprehensive visual account of the 40-year history of a separate East Germany. The series covers all the important cultural, economic and political developments, from the founding of the GDR to the popular upheavals that finally brought the Berlin Wall down. Former GDR citizens share their personal feelings, experiences and attitudes toward the government of the East and the material difficulties and dominance of the state. Part 3: For the People's Welfare - the Honecker era is the centerpiece of this film. The program for the social policy of the SED (Socialist Unity Party) calls for the "unity of economic and social policy". Thus the Party leadership celebrated the achievement of the tight social service network extending from day-care to retirement homes. But the more individuals are removed from the processes of production, the more useless they become from an economic perspective. How much social security did the State really provide? Intellect and Power: Art and Culture: "Take up your pen, mate!" The history of literature and art in the German Democratic Republic is repeatedly interrupted by State oppression. This documentary shows how these breaks reveal contradictions between intellect and power in the GDR. The State between its proclamations and reality – spanning from Becher to Biermann.

Subjects

Genre

Documentary films

Bibliographic Information

Title Translation

That Was GDR, part 3: For the People's Welfare - Intellect and Power

Holdings

Item Type	Current Location	Call Number	Status	Shelving Location	Public Note
VHS	OSA Film Library	FL Record 0316	Available	-	-
Digital film	OSA Film Library	FL Record 0316 (HU_OSA_00002099.mp4)	Available		Access Copy, MP4 format