Film in der DDR – Daten, Fakten, Strukturen

Film in the GDR
Günter Jordan

For ten long years Guenter Jordan has been working on this book; now it is finally here in printed form, following an internet publication by the DEFA Stiftung (DEFA Foundation). „Film in der DDR. Daten – Fakten –
Strukturen“ (Film in the GDR: Dates - Facts - Structures). It is a foundational work of research of some 580 pages.
Jordan, who was once a director employed by the DEFA Documentary Film Studio and a passionate film historian, has collected everything of relevance to film production and distribution in the German East between
1945 and 1990. His work includes all institutions, organisations, and agencies that had to do with film, beginning with the Soviet occupation authorities, the SED (Socialist Unity Party), the Ministries of Culture and State Security, and television and extending to distribution, artists′ associations, festivals, film labs and disposal companies. Whoever seeks to know where film personnel were trained and where
technical research was done, what houses published on film, how the film club movement was structured and who among newspaper editors was involved in reporting on film: All dates and names that could be found
are collected here.

Beyond this, there is information on how the GDR film industry was privatized after 1990: Who took over the studios? What production companies were founded by former DEFA employees? And what new organizations were formed by technicians and artists?

For this work, which presumably will soon be nicknamed "Enclyclopedia Jordannica," the author scoured archives and libraries, conducted interviews, and grouped the widely scattered facts in a practical manner. Thanks to an index including subject headings as well as names,
one can quickly find out who at what point had which function relating to film. Not only the exact terms of office of the GDR "film ministers" are recorded (one only lasted half a year), but also those of the DEFA directors, heads of production units, Party cultural officials or Russion culture officers.

Jordan decodes chains of authority, describes the development and metamorphoses of the Studios and control committees, and also researches all film producers beyond DEFA as well. It may not be news that the National People′s Army (NVA) or the Post Office had their own film studios; but it is a surprise to discover the large number of small, private film producers.

Each chapter begins with a substantive thematic introduction and includes information on sources, legal regulations, and bibliographical notes. There has never yet been such a comprehensive collection of information regarding the cinema of the GDR -- although even here there are still gaps: Film exhibition in the GDR, i.e. where and when what cinemas were in operation, which films were distributed and with how many prints, and how the audiences really reacted – this remains largely unexplored.

In the years of this Sisyphean task Jordan was repeatedly received encouragement from friends and colleagues in film: for example from Wolfgang Klaue, longtime director of the State Film Archive of the GDR and first Director of the DEFA-Stiftung (which also provided financial support for the project). During a panel discussion at the Potsdam Film Museum, where the book first came out, it was remarked that a comparable standard work on the development of the West German film industry after
1945 would actually be unthinkable. The structures there were much more fragmented, are not nearly as well documented and such an overview would not be possible. Thus the "Encylcopedia Jordannica" may indeed remain a
unique phenomenon, indispensable for all who in future wish to research and publish on the "finite collection area" of film in the GDR. For whoever wishes to interpret must first develop a familiarity with the subject matter at hand; Jordan′s work is an outstanding preparation of the way.

Ralf Schenk

Günter Jordan: Film in der DDR. Potsdam Film Museum. 580 Pages. 45 Euro
Order c/o Filmmuseum Potsdam, Marstall/Breite Straße 1, D-14476 Potsdam or amazon.de

Spur der Steine

The Trace of Films
Contemporary witnesses talk about DEFA
Ingrid Poss, Peter Warnecke

They existed: those DEFA films that produced little interest when they were seen in the cinema programme. Still, there were also those that drew hundreds of thousands to the cinemas – not only in the GDR. Their makers were in a constant state of tension between political expectations and their own artistic demands. In the available, richly illustrated volume on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of DEFA′s foundation, those who were there tell their stories: about hopes and disappointments, about the adversities and amenities of a perished film production. More than 40 directors, screenwriters, dramatic advisers, actors, production managers and costume designers have their say and deliver insight into the circumstances of emergence of approx. 100 films. From more than 400 hours of interviews lead by the DEFA Foundation, Filmmuseum Potsdam and Zeitzeugen TV, an authentic inside view emerged that former accounts always lacked.

Ingrid Poss, Peter Warnecke (eds.), Ch. Links Verlag, Berlin, ISBN: 3-86153-401-0, 600 Pages, approx. 300 Illustrations, Cover: softcover, Format: 16,5 x 23,5 cm, 24,90 Euros

Unsichtbare Schätze der Kinotechnik – Kinematographische Apparate aus 100 Jahren

Invisible Treasures of Cinema Technology – 100 Years of Cinematographic Equipment

A must for everyone enthusiastic about historical filming and projecting equipment!
Invisible treasures? Everyone can see some of the most beautiful exhibits from the museum′s technology collection. Interested visitors are welcome to the equipment collection on display in Pappelallee 20. Just give us a call under (0049/331) 56704-16. This book offers an additional opportunity to make some of the museum′s technological treasures, most of which are normally not exhibited, visible for everyone. A representative choice made on the basis of our stock catalogue presents some 150 items from the collection in texts and pictures. Further information on the pieces of equipment and their manufacturers are embedded into a historical outline of the development of filming and projecting equipment. Amateur collectors and everyone else interested in historical technology will find the chapter on handling cinematic equipment helpful, which was written with respect to restoration and conservation guidelines. The final part of the book gives a summary of numerous devices from our stocks, 300 of them are pictured in small-sized photographs. A survey of almost 3000 existing technical documentations supplements this richly illustrated volume, which is thus rendered a valuable reference book.
Publisher: Filmmuseum Potsdam, Editor: Christian Ilgner, Parthas-Verlag, Berlin, 2001, ISBN 3-932529-30-8, 232 pages, 471 colour / black-and-white illustrations, paperback, 19.90 Euros

Das zweite Leben der Filmstadt Babelsberg DEFA-Spielfilme 1946 - 1992

The Second Life of the Film Metropolis Babelsberg" – DEFA Feature Films 1946 - 1992
"... the only book so far which (...) is capable of giving a comprehensive and credible account. The standard work until further notice." (Berliner Zeitung)
A complete history of the DEFA feature film studios and, at the same time, an exciting chapter of GDR cultural politics, written by East German film scholars. A complete filmography of DEFA feature films, including content descriptions and reviews, complete this first standard volume on the history of the East German state-owned company.
Publisher: Filmmuseum Potsdam, Editor: Ralf Schenk, Henschel Verlag, Berlin, 1994, ISBN 3-89487-175-X, 560 pages, 847 black-and-white illustrations, paperback, 19.90 Euros
Press: "It is the only work so far that earnestly attempts to do justice to the DEFA phenomenon and the ambivalence between film and society, art and power. It can be anticipated that, so far, this is the only work able to present a serious conclusion. The standard work until further notice."
Berliner Zeitung, by Günter Sobe, 25 April 1994

Vor der Kamera – Fünfzig Schauspieler in Babelsberg

In Front of the Camera
– Fifty Actors in Babelsberg



Fifty portraits of actresses and actors – from Hildegard Knef to Erwin Geschonneck – who worked for DEFA in Babelsberg, including biographies and filmographies. Directors, screenwriters, dramatic advisers and film journalists wrote the texts.

Publisher: Filmmuseum Potsdam,
Editor: Ralf Schenk, Henschel Verlag, Berlin, 1995,
ISBN 3-89487-235-7, 30 x 22,5 cm, 280 pages, approx. 300 illustrations, paperback, 7.50 Euros

Regie: Frank Beyer

A book on one of DEFA′s finest directors, who was the only GDR citizen ever to receive an Oscar nomination.

Frank Beyer worked with, e.g., Armin Mueller-Stahl, Jutta Hoffmann, Manfred Krug and Senta Berger. Among his works are such important films as "Nackt unter Wölfen" ("Naked Among Wolves"), "Spur der Steine" ("The Trace of Stones") and "Geschlossene Gesellschaft".

The book includes an in-depth conversation with the director about his films and his life, stories about famous actors he worked with and numerous documents – also about his forbidden films. Essays on all Frank Beyer feature and TV films and a complete filmography complement the portrait.

Publisher: Filmmuseum Potsdam, Editor: Ralf Schenk, Edition Hentrich, Berlin, 1996, ISBN 3-89468-156-X, 320 pages, 17 x 24,5 cm, 160 black-and-white illustrations, paperback, 3.50 Euros

Liebe mit Achtzig

Love at the Age of 80.
Asta Nielsen – Christian Theede: Briefe

The life of the first European screen goddess, for whose films the Babelsberg studios were built, ressembles a fairy tale film with a happy ending: she found her big love at an old age.
The life of Danish actress Asta Nielsen reads like a fairy tale: She came from the poorest of backgrounds and became the diva of early European film. The first film studio was built eighty years ago in Babelsberg for the production of her box office hits. Wherever she performed, the audience cheered. Asta Nielsen set the fashion; she embodied the beautiful, independent woman. Virtually penniless in her old age and in despair over her only daughter′s suicide, all the 83-year-old wanted was to die. But then, as the letters document, she met with the wonder of love.
Publisher: Allan O. Hagedorff and Filmmuseum Potsdam, Editor: Bärbel Dalichow, Jovis Verlag Berlin, 1997, ISBN 3-931321-54-1, 17 x 23 cm, 175 pages, 25 black-and-white illustrations, hardcover, 4.90 Euros

Hans Albers – Ein Leben in Bildern

("Hans Albers – A Life in Pictures")
UFA star Hans Albers was most succesful during the Nazi era, but he was also considered as a personification of masculinity for a long time afterwards.

The image of the "blond Hans" boiled down to two icons within half a century: Albers flying through the air on a cannonball as Baron von Münchhausen and Albers singing melancholic and frivolous songs as a sailor. An extensive picture biography, including some rare photos and an essay by Bärbel Dalichow, draws the picture of a man who turned into an male idol.

Publisher: Filmmuseum Potsdam, Editor: Elke Schieber, Henschel Verlag, 1997, ISBN 3-89487-282-9, 178 pages, 200 illustrations, 24 x 27 cm, hardcover, 7.50 Euros

Oskar Messter - Filmpionier der Kaiserzeit

("Oskar Messter – Film Pioneer from Imperial Germany")
Oskar Messters was an inventor, entrepreneur and director – that is, a modern man of the kind we′re desperately looking for nowadays.
Oskar Messter was an inventor, businessman and director. The 100th anniversary of cinema celebrations opened with an exhibition on Oskar Messter, whose technological inventions laid the foundation for the development of the German film industry. The richly illustrated catalogue contains, besides contributions on Messter′s film empire and film and cinema technology by the mechanics workshops, interesting comments about the effects of cinema music and the star cult surrounding Henny Porten, our great-grandparents′ cinema darling.
KINtop Schriften 2, Publisher and Editor: Martin Loiperdinger, Deutsches Museum München, Stroemfeld Verlag Basel / Frankfurt am Main, 1994, ISBN 3-87877-762-0, 15,5 x 22 cm, 176 pages, numerous black-and-white illustrations, paperback, 4.50 Euros

Regie: Konrad Wolf

("Directed by: Konrad Wolf")
An introductory essay about Konrad Wolf and his films by Albert Wilkening; an annotated filmography including contemporary texts and detailed literature references.
Publisher: Filmmuseum Potsdam, Editor: Bärbel Dalichow, 1983, 56 pages, numerous illustrations
Out of print

Schwarzweiß und Farbe

Black-and-White and Colour: DEFA Documentary Films 1946 - 1992"
An invaluably rich source for historians, sociologists and cineasts: DEFA documentary filmmakers and their work.
Almost 10,000 documentary and popular scientific films plus weekly and monthly newsreels were created by DEFA between 1946 and 1992. In twelve chapters, the authors work their way through this body of work and give an inside account of films and people, of the mechanisms of the GDR propaganda and culture politics, of ideals, dreams and hopes, conformism and quiet resistance. The authors′ efforts are by no means restricted to a few hand-picked names; instead, their judgement is based on the knowledge of the entire production. Apart from a detailed chronology of DEFA films including the weekly news "Der Augenzeuge" ("The Eyewitness"), the volume includes chapters on documentaries produced by the Film College Potsdam-Babelsberg and on the Leipzig Documentary Film Festival. Some 190 DEFA documentarists are introduced with detailed biographies and filmographies.
Publisher: Filmmuseum Potsdam, Editor: Günter Jordan and Ralf Schenk, Jovis-Verlagsbüro Berlin 1996/2000 (second, extended and revised edition) ISBN 3-931321-51-7, 463 pages, approx. 200 black-and-white illustrations, paperback, 25.50 Euros