A Beginners Guide to East German Movies and DEFA. (126)

In this episode of the East Germany Podcast – Radio GDR we explore the world of East German movies and DEFA, the studio that produced them. I know nothing about East German-made movies so in this episode we are joined by two East German Cinema buffs to find out more.

I was delighted when Jeffrey Babcock reached out to me, pointing out that we had not covered an important element of life in East Germany – East German movies! We are not referring to movies about the GDR such as Goodbye Lenin and The Lives of Others, but movies that were made in the GDR.

Jeffrey who curates East German movie screenings at the Goethe Institute in Amsterdam teams up with Jim Morton the man behind the East German Cinema Blog.

So come on a journey with us on the East Germany Podcast as Jeffrey and Jim guide us through the world of East German Cinema. They share some of their favourite East German movies that they feel are a good place for those of us who are new to East German films to start.

What East German films should you watch? Check out Jim Morton’s recommendations here

This Episode is Dedicated to Neil Tooley (RIP)

Neil Tooley and host Shane Whaley enjoying an East Berlin pub crawl.

This episode is dedicated to Neil Tooley who has sadly passed away. Neil was an avid listener of the podcast and an early member and supporter of the Radio GDR Podcast. Many of us got to know Neil as he flew out to our Radio GDR meet up in Berlin last November.

Neil, I will always smile when I look at this photo and remember your warmth, humor, and our conversations in the dark bars of East Berlin before we hit Rasputins. Our sympathies go out to your family and all who knew you. RIP genosse Neil.