“A funny, poignant depiction of an East German generation, hopeful about it chance at self-determination.” —Reinhild Steingröver, Last Features: East German Cinema’s Lost Generation

“This tragicomedy, about the charged relation between infatuated ideals and gloomy daily life, is one of Kahane’s most personal films.”   —Deutsche Kinemathek

 “An encouragement for young people in discouraging times.” —Thomas Knauf, Spur der Zeiten

“The film’s playfulness and lack of finger-pointing turns it into something exceptional.” —Jens Rübner, Aufstieg ins Rampenlicht

“Peter Kahane presents a coming-of-age story in the form of idealistic youths eager to discover where life beyond their small town will take them.”   —Anne Jost-Fritz, DEFA after East Germany

“In this youth-oriented film, the degree of artistry, of narrative honesty and resourcefulness, lingers emphatically.”  —Hans Braunseis, Der Morgen

“Another super film: lively, apt, honest and not long-winded. […] Kahane tells his story without language, through images and sound alone, tenderly and sensually, leaving much only hinted at. He forms exact, intelligent and ironic points and brings you to laughter and tears.   —Heinz Kersten, Der Tagesspiegel

“Peter Kahane’s vigorous Ready for Life is a heartwarming comedy about the trials and tribulations of young lovers. From today’s perspective, the film is above all interesting as a historic document about the East German provinces a few months before the end of the first socialist republic on German soil.” —Pitt Herrmann, Sonntagsnachrichten