Hava Kohav Beller
Encyclopedia
Hava Kohav Beller is a filmmaker primarily known for two documentary films: The Restless Conscience
(1991), and The Burning Wall (2002).
am Main, Germany, and grew up in Geva
, Israel. She studied at the Juilliard School, where she studied music, ballet and modern dance.
Hava Beller lives in New York City.
In 1991, after nine years in the making, Beller finished the film The Restless Conscience. The film examines the Nazi terror and those who fought it from within. In 1992, The Restless Conscience was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Documentary Feature. In 1993, Ms. Beller was decorated by then President of Germany Richard von Weizsäcker
with the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit (Das Grosse Bundesverdienstkreuz
). It was screened nationally on PBS and has been on television in over twenty countries worldwide.
The Burning Wall depicts the development of the GDR—its founders and those who opposed it, as it emerged from the ashes of World War II
. It charts its political and social evolution through various stages, including the 1956 uprising and the building of the Berlin Wall
. Particular attention is paid to the life of Richard Haverman, whose biography threads these episodes together. The film's latter part focuses on the work of the Stasi
, with many original interviews with former Stasi discussing their cases and methods, as well as interviews with the subjects of their surveillance.
It premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and the Film Forum
in New York. It has not been shown on television.
The Restless Conscience: Resistance to Hitler Within Germany 1933-1945
The Restless Conscience: Resistance to Hitler Within Germany 1933-1945 is a 1992 documentary film directed by Hava Kohav Beller. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.-External links:...
(1991), and The Burning Wall (2002).
Early life
Beller was born in FrankfurtFrankfurt
Frankfurt am Main , commonly known simply as Frankfurt, is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth-largest city in Germany, with a 2010 population of 688,249. The urban area had an estimated population of 2,300,000 in 2010...
am Main, Germany, and grew up in Geva
Geva
-External links:*...
, Israel. She studied at the Juilliard School, where she studied music, ballet and modern dance.
Hava Beller lives in New York City.
Career
Beller was a dancer and choreographer, and had her own dance company in New York. She acted in off-Broadway productions. From 1979 to 1981 she studied filmmaking with Arnold Eagle at the New School for Social Research.In 1991, after nine years in the making, Beller finished the film The Restless Conscience. The film examines the Nazi terror and those who fought it from within. In 1992, The Restless Conscience was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Documentary Feature. In 1993, Ms. Beller was decorated by then President of Germany Richard von Weizsäcker
Richard von Weizsäcker
Richard Karl Freiherr von Weizsäcker , known as Richard von Weizsäcker, is a German politician . He served as Governing Mayor of West Berlin from 1981 to 1984, and as President of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1984 to 1994...
with the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit (Das Grosse Bundesverdienstkreuz
Bundesverdienstkreuz
The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany is the only general state decoration of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has existed since 7 September 1951, and between 3,000 and 5,200 awards are given every year across all classes...
). It was screened nationally on PBS and has been on television in over twenty countries worldwide.
The Burning Wall depicts the development of the GDR—its founders and those who opposed it, as it emerged from the ashes of 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...
. It charts its political and social evolution through various stages, including the 1956 uprising and the building of the Berlin Wall
Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was a barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic starting on 13 August 1961, that completely cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin...
. Particular attention is paid to the life of Richard Haverman, whose biography threads these episodes together. The film's latter part focuses on the work of the Stasi
Stasi
The Ministry for State Security The Ministry for State Security The Ministry for State Security (German: Ministerium für Staatssicherheit (MfS), commonly known as the Stasi (abbreviation , literally State Security), was the official state security service of East Germany. The MfS was headquartered...
, with many original interviews with former Stasi discussing their cases and methods, as well as interviews with the subjects of their surveillance.
It premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and the Film Forum
Film Forum
Film Forum is a nonprofit movie theater located at 209 West Houston Street in New York City. It began in 1970 as an alternative screening space for independent films, with 50 folding chairs, one projector and a US$19,000 annual budget. Karen Cooper became director in 1972 and under her leadership,...
in New York. It has not been shown on television.