Comrade, Where Are You Today?

Germany / Finland 2016, 110 min., documentary, German, English, Spanish, Arabic (with English subtitles)
 
Writer/Director: Kirsi Liimatainen, Cinematography: Yoliswa von Dallwitz, Christian Marohl, Till Vielrose, Hanno Kunow, Marc-Christian Weber, Editors: Jeannette-Maria Giza, Stefanie Kosik, Antti Tuomikoski, Music: Anssi Växby, Lasse Sakara, Producer: Kirsi Liimatainen

In 1988 the 20-year-old Finn Kirsi Marie Liimatainen heads for the GDR to study Marxism-Leninism at the international youth academy “Wilhelm Pieck”. The students come from around the world – from both sides of the Iron Curtain. They are functionaries, freedom fighters and left-wing activists. Young people united in the hope for a better world. The international solidarity at the academy is convincing, but the real socialism is marked by contradictions – the gap between theory and reality is obvious. In the summer of 1989 the course ends – a few months later the Berlin Wall falls.

Trailer

24 years later, Liimatainen sets out on a cinematic journey to Germany, Bolivia, Chile, Lebanon and South Africa to meet up once more with her former fellow students. What remains of their dream of revolution? Are there any utopias left, which are worth fighting for?

Source: Ilanga Films

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