German Democratic Republic 1990Language:GermanSubtitles:EnglishDirector:Petra TschörtnerWriter:Petra Tschörtner, Jochen WisotzkiCinematographer:Michael LöscheEditor:Angelika ArnoldMusic:Balkan-Tourist-Combo, Herbst in Peking, Sender Radio P.Sound:Ulrich Fengler, Uve HaußigWith:Arthur Alexander Rompe, Kurt Mühle, Harald Hauswald, Waltraud ZiervogelProducer:Fritz HartthalerProduction Company:DEFA-Studio für Dokumentarfilme GmbHDistributor:Deutsche Kinemathek/DEFA Filmverleih75 min, Black and white, DCP

Pictures of the Berlin borough of Prenzlauer Berg before the 1990 monetary union: “We need revolution” sings the East Berlin rock band “Herbst in Peking” in the ruins of the Berlin Wall. But in May 1990 almost everything has run its course. In the pub “Prater” Knatter-Karl is dancing with his girlfriend. Frieda and Gerda in the pub “Hackepeter” are shocked to hear someone has stolen a parrot from the zoo. The tenants in the houses dream of anarchy and Mrs. Ziervogel, who runs Berlin’s best bratwurst stand, blesses her first West German marks. Petra Tschörner wanted to capture the special feel of her borough, which has always taken up more free space than other boroughs.

Director's Biography:Born in Potsdam May 6, 1958. Abitur (absolved by students who pass their final exams at the end of their secondary education) 1976, voluntary at the East German national film studios DEFA. First documentary IM HEIM, 1978. Her topic: the everyday experiences of normal people. 1991-2011 educational commissions at the Konrad Wolf Film University of Babelsberg.

Photo: © DEFA-Stiftung, Frank Breßler