Gives a realistic glimpse of life in the former DDR

Rating: 9/10 (14 March 2007)

I can't really add a lot to what the others have said, except to say for me it gave a realistic glimpse into what was life in the former East Germany. A German friend told me in 1992 that if I wanted to see "East Germany" I had better do it now because it will vanish quickly (wall came down in 1989). And so I went.
The best analogy someone told me about leave East Germany for West Germany was "watching a black & white movie that suddenly becomes color"
The bleak scenes (filmed much on Karl Marx Allee I'm told) all added to the realism. Then we see how the people are treated - in this instance, artists. One sees how the all-powerful Stasi and Ministers used their power corruptly (without giving any spoilers) The best description I can give of life in the DDR through this movie would be "soul destroying".
And yet one member of the Stasi found redemption.
It was a very powerful and memorable movie.
I told another German friend about this and he said he would wait to buy the DVD. Fine, I told him, but this also deserves a view on the big screen.
I recommend this to everyone....