The documentary, which presents an optimistic portrait of the GDR's blooming meadows and cheerful workers, was produced for the occasion of country's 10th anniversary. Although the film passed the initial approval screening, members of the SED Politburo criticized the film’s neutral political positions and demanded that the lyrical narration of poet Stephan Hermlin be replaced with commentary by television host Karl-Eduard von Schnitzler. The prints that were already delivered to foreign embassies were recalled, and the revised version of the film was not released before the end of January 1960, too late for the anniversary.