The Legendary Paul and Paula - Iconic Couple of the GDR
DIE LEGENDE VON PAUL UND PAULA (The Legend of Paul and Paula) is considered to be one of the most successful DEFA films of all time. In 1974 the film barely squeezed past the censors. Only a few days after its' release in the GDR, it became a box-office hit.
Two decades after the Geman Reunification on October 3rd, 1990, this cult film - now a part of the Europe’s Finest catalogue - looks back on an old East Berlin and the undying force of love accompanied by the cult music of one of Eastern Germany's most successful rockbands, The Puhdys. Angelica Domroese and Winfried Glatzeder as Paul and Paula became the iconic couple of the GDR. After both actors fled to the West in the early 80s, the film was put away under lock and key.
Tears will fall for the Europe's Finest digital re-release of this film - slated for late Autumn 2010 - and not only out of „Ostalgia“ (GDR nostalgia). The film tells the story of a love that is stronger than death. Paula pulls herself through life as a young single mother. She has already accepted she will never meet the love of her life... until she meets Paul in a bar. They can’t keep their eyes off each other. Secretly, they break out of their rigid daily routines, yet their love seems impossible as Paul is married and does not want a divorce to compromise his career. It is only when Paula breaks up with him that he begins to fight for her. However, Paula’s life is in danger as she is expecting his baby and cannot bear to survive having another child...
With the perfect mix of tragic comedy, hyperbole and sensuality, the director Heiner Carow succeeded in creating a heavily atmospheric, and even by today’s standards, a modern depiction of Berlin. The choice of songs was also a stroke of genius with titles by The Puhdys such as, Geh’ zu ihr und lass deinen Drachen steigen („Go to her and let your dragon rise“) and Wenn ein Mensch lebt („When a person lives“), became instant hits with the release of the film.
Note: The film is now available through Europe's Finest for digital screenings (2K digital copies for DCI-compliant cinemas) in numerous territories throughout Europe. For more information about booking and territories, please visit our website at www.finest-film.com/paulundpaula/ or contact us at info@finest-film.com.
Two decades after the Geman Reunification on October 3rd, 1990, this cult film - now a part of the Europe’s Finest catalogue - looks back on an old East Berlin and the undying force of love accompanied by the cult music of one of Eastern Germany's most successful rockbands, The Puhdys. Angelica Domroese and Winfried Glatzeder as Paul and Paula became the iconic couple of the GDR. After both actors fled to the West in the early 80s, the film was put away under lock and key.
Tears will fall for the Europe's Finest digital re-release of this film - slated for late Autumn 2010 - and not only out of „Ostalgia“ (GDR nostalgia). The film tells the story of a love that is stronger than death. Paula pulls herself through life as a young single mother. She has already accepted she will never meet the love of her life... until she meets Paul in a bar. They can’t keep their eyes off each other. Secretly, they break out of their rigid daily routines, yet their love seems impossible as Paul is married and does not want a divorce to compromise his career. It is only when Paula breaks up with him that he begins to fight for her. However, Paula’s life is in danger as she is expecting his baby and cannot bear to survive having another child...
With the perfect mix of tragic comedy, hyperbole and sensuality, the director Heiner Carow succeeded in creating a heavily atmospheric, and even by today’s standards, a modern depiction of Berlin. The choice of songs was also a stroke of genius with titles by The Puhdys such as, Geh’ zu ihr und lass deinen Drachen steigen („Go to her and let your dragon rise“) and Wenn ein Mensch lebt („When a person lives“), became instant hits with the release of the film.
Note: The film is now available through Europe's Finest for digital screenings (2K digital copies for DCI-compliant cinemas) in numerous territories throughout Europe. For more information about booking and territories, please visit our website at www.finest-film.com/paulundpaula/ or contact us at info@finest-film.com.
