The German Film Festival hosted by The University of Scranton marked the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. World Languages and Cultures Professor Jamie Trnka, Ph.D., who organized the series, presented the first of three films “Leipzig in the Fall” on Nov. 9 in the Pearn Auditorium of Brennan Hall. 

Dr. Trnka began by explaining the storyline of the movie to the students, faculty and community members in attendance.

“This is the first group of filmmakers who were given access and permission to film in Leipzig in Oct. and Nov. of 1989, just prior to the fall of the wall, which is really the only part of this process that was publicized in the United States,” said Dr. Trnka. “Those of us old enough to remember will recall many images of the wall coming down and people celebrating.” 

According to Dr. Trnka, the films selected document the process that led to fall and provide a rare look at the larger, peaceful revolution that happened in East Germany.

“Leipzig in the Fall” focused on the people of East Germany voicing their opinions at a time when political demonstrations were culminating. Those interviewed in this documentary spoke of the social conflicts that began prior to the fall of the wall. References were made to the role of the church at the time and to election fraud. Although discussions such as these took place for years, this film captured these voices for the very first time in a documented and publicized manner.

People on the streets of Germany, Leipzig policeman and even the sanitation workers that were ordered to clean up the signs made by protestor’s made comments about the conditions they were forced to live in. Some mentioned that East Germans weren’t necessarily against socialism. They just wanted revisions and improvements made to it. Other complaints consisted of the constrictions they felt as individuals and that words no longer would suffice; it was time to take action. It was a time to fight for democratic and human rights.

The two other films presented in the German Film Festival were the documentary “The Wall,” directed by Jurgen Bottcher in 1989, and the 1992 film, “Silent Country,” directed by Andreas Dresen.