Actors Arno Wyzniewski and Ekkehard Schall and director Manfred Wekwerth, all members of the Berliner Ensemble, talk about Bertolt Brecht’s theater theories and methods, which made him one of the most important twentieth-century playwrights and directors, both in Germany and internationally.

This DVD presents two films on Ludwig van Beethoven, one of Germany's best-known composers, which were produced by the DEFA Studios over 20 years apart. 

Vienna, 1813-1819: Beethoven (played by Donatas Banionis) is at the peak of his fame. Orchestras all over the world play his music, but he lives modestly and is dependent upon private patrons.

Andreas Voigt's fourth documentary shot on the streets of Leipzig follows a group of radical young people in the winter of 1992–93. The changes in the city are striking: splendid new malls; many unemployed people; and despairing, angry youth for whom violence has become commonplace.

Ed Martin witnesses a murder at the American hotel where he works.

An official function includes a piano concert. The pianist pours his soul into his performance, but the audience wants more than spiritual sustenance.

Helene rides her motor scooter by Fritz, the “White Mouse,” every morning as he directs traffic through the intersection. Though he yields the right-of-way to her often, they have never spoken and she wants more than his friendly gesture.

The brothers Theo and Gustav Benthin pull profits through smuggling in divided Germany: Theo in the West and Gustav in the East. The East German police catch on quickly, however, and Gustav is arrested.

Berlin in the 1960s. Olaf (Dieter Mann) and Horst (Kaspar Eichel) are two young metalworkers, who provoke their older colleagues with critiques of the antiquated equipment and lack of materials...