(Our Short Life)
Directed by Lothar Warneke
113 minutes
In German with English subtitle

Here is another one of those discreet gems from the former GDR (East Germany). And like many films from that period of time, it is largely centred on the plight of a woman. Here in western Europe women were being mostly delegated to trivial, stereotyped roles, but in East Germany women were more democratically embraced by society, and the cinema reflected this emancipation.
 
The story revolves around Franziska, a female architect and urban planner who dreams of a city that is not only practical, but that focuses on a sense of community, history and culture. She is also a bit wild, is thirsty for a love that hasn't come, and still believes in living fully against all odds. In a way, her story isn't the only interesting aspect of this film—it's also a fantastic snapshot of the GDR in the late 70s...  a document of the role of women there, and their attempts to create a more compassionate world.

These GDR movies have a sense of of humanity, and make sharp criticisms about the contradictions of society. Pretty hard to believe, when we are told how harsh and cold-blooded the entire East bloc was, no? Sure, you see elements of stiff bureaucracy here, but you also see a sense of poetry, humanity and spirited provocation. The movie is based on the novel Franziska Linkerhand, a largely autobiographical book by Brigitte Reimann, who was one of the best loved writers in the GDR.
 
So much precious cinema has gone missing—it's been eclipsed by the narrow minded, all-pervasive techno-commercialism of today that loves nothing more than to wipe away the past. Wow, it's so wonderful to dig these forgotten flicks out again and give them a place on the screen... and this will be a rare chance to glimpse this one.