The Ascending Path

(Der Weg nach oben)

GDR, 1950, 81 min, b&w
In German; no subtitles
Credits:
Director
Script
Editor
Camera
Production Company

Synopsis

This documentary juxtaposes events in the immediate postwar East and West Germanies to draw a picture of the developing Cold War politics. Several economic and cultural stages of the GDR are presented, including important events such as Victory Day on May 9, 1945; the first anniversary of the GDR; and the Third Party Conference of the SED on July 20, 1950.

 

Each of the key changes implemented in the GDR—land reform, political leadership and economic planning (the first Five-Year Plan in 1950)—is juxtaposed with images of West Germany’s unemployment, impoverished neighborhoods, and the Berlin Airlift from 1948-1949. In short, a developing East Germany is contrasted with destructive West German capitalism and Cold War politics.

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