Berlin im Aufbau
Encyclopedia
Berlin im Aufbau is an East German documentary film
directed by Kurt Maetzig
(one of East Germany's most respected filmmakers) between 1945 and 1946. It was a prominent 22 minute documentary, released in 1946 and produced by the Deutsche Film-Aktiengesellschaft
(DEFA) film company. Maetzig was assisted in the assembly of the film by Marion Keller, who had also scripted and organized several other propaganda films of the late 1940s.
The film has historical significance in that it documents the first phase of the rebuilding of the destroyed city of Berlin
after World War II
and was one of three documentaries shot in the immediate aftermath examining the reconstruction of the city. The documentary explores the redevelopments in culture, transport, health care and education, industry and trade, compiled using newsreel footage of eyewitnesses. It also explores the marked social changes since the fall of Nazi Germany
; in one scene a Jewish carpenter is helping a German man on a roof top reconstructing it.
The film is essentially a propaganda film
, intended to raise the morale of the people after the devastation and showing promise to the nation in the redevelopment programme. However in making the film, like Joop Huisken, who was assigned to make a similar film of Potsdam
entitled Potsdam baut auf, Maetzig was careful not to over-exaggerate the achievements and courage of the people, keeping it realistic. Like other similar "Aufbau" films, this one begins with a brief German history, and provides a narrative showing how the disordered past can be put back into order, and how through their diligent labor, the German people can be seen as productive members of a post-war society. The film also highlighted the acceptance of post-war perceptions of gender in that while females were typified as being wives and friends, they may also be accepted as equal partners in the workforce.
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
directed by Kurt Maetzig
Kurt Maetzig
Kurt Maetzig is an East German film director who had a significant effect on the film industry in the GDR. He is one of the most respected filmmakers of East Germany. He currently lives in Wildkuhl, Mecklenburg, and has three children....
(one of East Germany's most respected filmmakers) between 1945 and 1946. It was a prominent 22 minute documentary, released in 1946 and produced by the Deutsche Film-Aktiengesellschaft
Deutsche Film-Aktiengesellschaft
Deutsche Film-Aktiengesellschaft, better known as DEFA, was the public-owned film studio in East Germany throughout that country's history.-History:...
(DEFA) film company. Maetzig was assisted in the assembly of the film by Marion Keller, who had also scripted and organized several other propaganda films of the late 1940s.
The film has historical significance in that it documents the first phase of the rebuilding of the destroyed city of Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and was one of three documentaries shot in the immediate aftermath examining the reconstruction of the city. The documentary explores the redevelopments in culture, transport, health care and education, industry and trade, compiled using newsreel footage of eyewitnesses. It also explores the marked social changes since the fall of Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
; in one scene a Jewish carpenter is helping a German man on a roof top reconstructing it.
The film is essentially a propaganda film
Propaganda film
The term propaganda can be defined as the ability to produce and spread fertile messages that, once sown, will germinate in large human cultures.” However, in the 20th century, a “new” propaganda emerged, which revolved around political organizations and their need to communicate messages that...
, intended to raise the morale of the people after the devastation and showing promise to the nation in the redevelopment programme. However in making the film, like Joop Huisken, who was assigned to make a similar film of Potsdam
Potsdam
Potsdam is the capital city of the German federal state of Brandenburg and part of the Berlin/Brandenburg Metropolitan Region. It is situated on the River Havel, southwest of Berlin city centre....
entitled Potsdam baut auf, Maetzig was careful not to over-exaggerate the achievements and courage of the people, keeping it realistic. Like other similar "Aufbau" films, this one begins with a brief German history, and provides a narrative showing how the disordered past can be put back into order, and how through their diligent labor, the German people can be seen as productive members of a post-war society. The film also highlighted the acceptance of post-war perceptions of gender in that while females were typified as being wives and friends, they may also be accepted as equal partners in the workforce.