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THE LIVES OF OTHERS (Das Leben der Anderen)

With Martina Gedeck, Ulrich Mühe, Sebastian Koch, Thomas Thieme, Ulrich Tukur, Volkmar Kleinert, Hans-Uwe Bauer, Charly Hübner

Written & Directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck

It is the mid-‘80s in Berlin. Hauptmann Gerd Wiesler, a surveillance agent of the secret police becomes embroiled in one of his subjects, a playwright Georg Dreyman and his lover, actress Christa-Maria Sieland. With rampant suspicion of disloyalty to The Party, they are singled out for closer observation (although the true motivation is the Minister Of Culture’s interest in Christa). But events turn to such an extent that Wiesler starts to question his own loyalty when serious evidence comes to light.
With great performances, a tense dramatic pace and bleak depiction of this doomed regime, this film deservedly won the Oscar for best foreign film in 2007.

PS. A documentary on that time in Berlin, the secret police and surveillance would've been a great addition.

5 / C
- Paul Blom


1 2 3 4 5 6
A - B - C



6 - Volcanic
5 - Blistering
4 - Hot
3 - Smolder
2 - Room Temp.
1 - Fizzled
0 - Extinguished

A: Multiple Viewing Potential
B: Deserves Another Look
C: Once Should Suffice

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