The Silent Revolution (Das Schweigende Klassenzimmer)
Drama, Historical – Germany – 2018 – 111′
Sound Mix: Dolby Aspect Ratio: 2.39 : 1
In German with English Subtitles
Synopsis
A gripping and true story set in 1956 in East Germany of a group of students who saw their life changed forever by a harmless human act of solidarity during the early stage of the Cold War, where freedom of thinking and integrity could make anyone an enemy of the state… or an ordinary hero. This is a film about the extraordinary courage of young individuals in a time of political oppression.
The year is 1956. During a visit to the cinema in West Berlin, high school pupils Theo (Leonard Scheicher) and Kurt (Tom Gramenz) see dramatic pictures of the Hungarian uprising in Budapest on the newsreel. Back at school in Stalinstadt, they spontaneously decide to hold a minute’s silence in solidarity with the victims of the uprising during a lesson. But the gesture causes much bigger ripples than expected: while their headmaster (Florian Lukas) initially tries to put the whole thing down to the whim of youth, the schoolchildren become objects of the political machinations of the fledgling East Germany. The People’s Education Minister (Burghart Klaußner) condemns the action as a clearly counterrevolutionary act and demands that the ringleader be named within a week. But the schoolchildren stick together, thus facing with a decision that will change their lives for ever…
Directed by
Lars Kraume
CAST
Michael Gwisdek / Florian Lukas / Burghart Klaussner / Ronald Zehrfeld / Jördis Triebel / Jonas Dassler / Isaiah Michaelski / Tom Gramenz / Leonard Scheicher / Anna Lena Klenke / Daniel Krauss / Carina N. Wiese
CREW
Director: Lars Kraume Screenwriter:Dietrich Garstka (book), Lars Kraume (adaptation) DOP: Jens Harant Editor: Barbara Gies Music: Christoph M. Kaiser and Julian Maas Producers: Miriam Düssel, Akzente Film & Fernsehproduktion
REACTIONS
“The ripple effect of a seemingly quite innocent idea and the subsequent, disproportionate reaction to is is fascinating to watch” – Hollywood Reporter
“This is a solid, good-looking piece of filmmaking which is elevated by a clutch of strong performances from the young cast.” – Screen International
AWARDS AND FEST
Berlinale 2018 – Special Gala Screening
Festival de Cinéma de Valencienne 2018
Denmark – 2018 CPH PIX
