Einmart

Einmart 1981

7.00

The very first images in the film set unprecedented standards in East German animated film: a Buñuelean eye that fills the entire screen, real-life sequences of fleeing animals and a sound collage running contrary to what is seen on the screen. This also extends to the protagonist of the film, a head on a foot without a body or arms who pads wearily through the depressing surroundings. Upon seeing various figures in the sky, he begins to copy their movements. To his surprise, he himself manages to grow wings and takes to the skies. But his attempt at flight ends in a sobering manner however, as it is revealed that flying creatures are just restricted in their range.

1981

Chile Lives

Chile Lives 1976

1

This short, animated piece of agitprop fiercely expresses the hopes of the Chilean people.

1976

Chile

Chile 1975

1

This short animation collage uncovers the financial backing of the Chilean Junta bosses by the US. Screened at the 1976 Oberhausen Int. Film Festival.

1975

Meta Morfoss

Meta Morfoss 1979

1

Meta Morfoss is not only a child with fantasy, she can also transform herself into an angel or crocodile. Often, she gets into strange situations and people around Meta react both negatively and positively.

1979

The Strange History of the Citizens of Shilda

The Strange History of the Citizens of Shilda 1961

1

The first animated feature film made in East Germany. The people of Shilda were once welcome at the courts of princes all over the world, but back at the Shilda castle work remained and had to be carried out by the women of the town. The women grew tired of this and called their men back. After many foolish decisions, the townspeople were victims of their own devices, and eventually set fire to their own city. The fire destroyed everything, and the citizens of Shilda fled out into the world.

1961

Sharp Left Beyond the Moon

Sharp Left Beyond the Moon 1959

6.20

The residents in heaven are worried because Santa does not know what to do. All of the children would like a sputnik that beeps for Christmas. Nobody in Santa's crew knows what a sputnik is. So he has to go to earth and find out about it.

1959

Kontraste

Kontraste 1982

8.00

A raindrop falls from a leaf and seeps into the earth. Within, it is permeated by beauty, cruelty, happiness and sadness.

1982

Guten Tag, Herr H.

Guten Tag, Herr H. 1966

1

What would happen if Hitler came back to West Germany after passing the statute of limitations for Nazi crimes on January 1, 1965? Based on West German laws, he would not only be able to reclaim his private property, but also a restitution. In addition, he could demand to get his power back and the reintegration of German areas into the Reich.

1966

Variants

Variants 1980

1

Two neighbours argue about which one of them should get rid of a pile of rubbish.

1980

Island Joke

Island Joke 1990

1

Three men shipwrecked on a desolate island are granted a helpful gift by a mermaid, only to misuse it entirely.

1990

Lautaro

Lautaro 1978

1

The Mapuche tribe asks their Gods for help in difficult situations, including illness and drought. When the Spanish conquerers on their horses invade their country, the indigenous people think that they are aliens. The Spaniards capture and enslave many of the Mapuche tribe. Lautaro, a young captured native, realizes that these aliens are human beings without any divine power. He learns to use their weapons and organizes a resistance movement against the intruders.

1978

We Draw October

We Draw October 1977

1

A joint production by animators of the USSR and the GDR based on children's drawings from the time of the Revolution and drawings by children of the 1970s.

1977

Consequence

Consequence 1987

1

The fumes emanating from a traffic jam make everybody, and every animal, cough.

1987

Metamorphoses I

Metamorphoses I 1978

1

For the multimedia exhibition Tangenten I (Tangents I), Dammbeck and co-organizer, sculptor and painter Frieder Heinze had planned to collaborate on a film that would combine non-camera animation with 35mm footage of a train ride between the two Dresden districts of Radebeul and Pieschen. When the exhibition was banned in 1978, Heinze turned to other projects, but Dammbeck continued working on the film by himself. Metamorphoses I—the first experimental film ever to be shown publicly in East Germany—marks the filmic beginning of Dammbeck’s long-term art project the Herakles-Konzept (Hercules Concept).

1978