Andreas Voigt
The river Oder: A historical and cultural land-scape churned again and again by the tide of events of the past century. A tale told in concentric circles about a region which was and still is the scene of the beginning, end and open middle of voluntary and involuntary migrations. Virulent issues of daily life and politics that, asked with confident casualness, provide a robust account of the present.
18 years after the last film, Andreas Voigt returns to the protagonists of his Leipzig films.
A film about five refugees living illegaly in five European countries.
Portrait of a group of skinheads, some politically left wing, others extremely right wing. One feels the cold atmosphere of the society. The film was controversial. It was praised by some for its inside into the skinhead scene, but attacked by others for giving these radicals a platform for their arguments. Even more confusing were the images in its brilliant black-and-white cinematography.
Five Leipzigers between December 1989 and 1990. In a surreal setting we see political slogans degenerate to boozy singing, political sex parties get ready for the elections, and gold diggers from the West arrive while the East moves West. Insecurity and fears, gallows humour and the last dance on a sinking ship. A grotesque.
Voigt, Kroske and Richter were among the first filmmakers who documented the events of the historic 9th of October 1989. Their “material” reflects them from different angles: protesters, workers, opposition members, policemen, street sweepers and functionaries. THE document of the “peaceful revolution”.
Agricultural scientist and mother Isolde struggles with the dicrepancies between her personal convictions and the political realities in East Germany.
