Christine

(Christine)

GDR, 1963/2021, 109 min, b&w
In German; no subtitles
Credits:
Director
Script
Dramaturg
Editor
Camera
Set Design
Costume Design
Music (Score)
Cast

Synopsis

Christine is a young farm worker in a small village in post-war Germany. Her attempts to improve her situation through further education are hampered by frequent pregnancies arising from ill-fated relationships. Her motley boyfriends include a fairground cashier who leaves more than one love-struck girl behind once the fair leaves town, a high-level functionary from Berlin who keeps his marriage secret from Christine, and a Catholic who refuses to marry so he can become a priest.

 

After Christine's fourth partner takes her savings and runs off to West Berlin on their wedding day, the director of the farming collective sends Christine back to school. There, she meets a kindly teacher who helps her with her studies - and soon becomes the father of her next child. Will this relationship turn out differently from the others?

Commentary

Before filming for Christine could be completed, director Slatan Dudow was killed in a car accident near Berlin. A rough cut of the film with a partial soundtrack was shown for the first and only time on October 15, 1974, in honor of the 25th anniversary of the GDR.

Awards

2021 Cinefest Hamburg, Germany

 

Availability

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