This 2014 documentary centers around stories of DDR escapes. There are many interviews with those who risked their lives to do so, as well as several original clips from the era.
Sebastian Dehnhardt and Matthias Schmidt directed this film together. Both have an extensive documentary repertoire. Dehnhardt directed a Wahre Geschichte: Wunder von Bern just a year after the popular film was released. Both directors have a wide variety of documentaries ranging from politics to sports.
Beyond the historical event, this film has a wide range of educational aspects. Accents of the areas are audible, discussion of the mistrust that was rampant among the citizens, generational differences, and the visible signs near the borders and embassies that put them all in danger are all key moments in the film, complete with discussion of causes and effects.
This documentary is 90 minutes long and useful for advanced high school students (perhaps earlier with subtitle support) or university students who have the goal of understanding this history and the political implications and generational issues that came of it. Due to the subtitle support, this film could be used beyond the German classroom and into history courses.
At approximately 80 minutes in, there is a scene with a nude woman. This is not sexual in nature (it serves to humiliate her). It follows a woman being asked to undress, asking for clarification, eventually asking if she has to remove everything. Shortly thereafter, there is a disturbing image regarding a train and stroller – this was discovered to be empty and served as a political protest. These events can be edited as necessary, but serve to express the level of determination and desperation to leave the DDR.