Yad Vashem Collections - Movies

5 Results

Imperial Exploitation – Forced Laborers in Germany

During WW2 around eight million foreigners were forced to work in Germany. Based on archival materials and testimonies, this documentary reavels this aspect in the history of Nazi Germany. It explores, from the viewpoint of the culprits and victims, how the system of forced labor deployment developed.

Director : Wolfgang Bergmann

Production Year : 1993

Duration : 177

Language : German

Trace of Stone

Based on Erik Neutsch's novel, this DEFA drama tells of building construction foreman Hannes Balla, a leader of large construction site "Schkona" who is held in high esteem by his co-workers because he makes sure they are paid correctly. Things stop running so well when supplies become scared, and Kati Klee, a young technician, and Werner Horrath, the new Party Secretary, arrive on the site. Shelved by East Germany following its 1966 release, this film was banned for 25 years and today it is rguably the most important DEFA film of the 1960s.

Director : Frank Beyer

Production Year : 1966

Duration : 133

Language : German

Sun Seekers

Produced and set for release in 1958, this DEFA drama was banned at the urging of the USSR as its content regards uranium and the nuclear arms race – a sensitive topic at the time of the production. Released not before 1972 (when a new regime took power and reformulation of the country foreign policy), the film is regarded since as one of DEFA’s best. Set in a remote uranium-mining village, the story explores the tensions between East-German workers and their Russian authority figures.

Director : Konrad Wolf

Production Year : 1958

Duration : 111

Language : German

Carbide and Sorrel

Set in post WW2 Dresden, this DEFA drama tells the story of Karl Bluecher, a factory worker known as Kalle, who is trying to procure carbide, which is desperately needed for re-starting production in a destroyed factory. He travels to Wittenberg - the only place where carbide can be found – and once there, finds himself in the unfortunate situation of having to hitchhike his way back to Dresden, transporting seven heavy barrels of carbide. However, his inventiveness and optimistic attitude help transform the grueling task into an adventurous and funny journey.

Director : Frank Beyer

Production Year : 1963

Duration : 80

Language : German

Hitler - The Whole Story: The Rise of the Reich - Part 2

The second part of a documentary trilogy about Hitler's career which examines the consolidation of his power and his build-up of the Nazi totalitarian state.

Director : Christian Herrendoerfer, Joachim Fest

Production Year : 1989

Duration : 49 50

Language : English