Rosa von Praunheim: Two Mothers - The Search Began in Riga

Rosa von Praunheim’s 70th film, about his search for his biological mother, is not only a journey into his own family history but also a fascinating chapter of German and Latvian twentieth-century history.

At the age of 57, Rosa von Praunheim learns from his 94-year-old mother, Gertrud, that he was adopted. Beyond telling him that she had found him in an orphanage during the German occupation of Riga, she reveals little else. It is not until three years after her death in 2003 that the filmmaker decides to search for his biological mother. In Berlin, he locates his original birth certificate and discovers that he was born in Riga Central Prison in 1942. At the same time, researchers in the Latvian State Archives uncover further surprising information. Prompted by these findings, von Praunheim sets out for Riga himself. The ensuing investigation, marked by archival research, encounters, and conversations, repeatedly leads down detours and into dead ends, yet remains compelling throughout. While von Praunheim is ultimately unable to solve every mystery surrounding his origins, he uncovers enough, including some deeply unsettling truths, to confront fundamental questions about identity, family, and belonging. This profoundly personal film, which also serves as a loving tribute to his adoptive mother, was met with considerable critical acclaim, though not without a degree of surprise as if one had not expected such seriousness, historical curiosity, and emotional openness from the enfant terrible of German cinema.

Germany 2007, DCP (original format: DigiBeta), 87 min., colour, with English subtitles.
Written, directed and produced by: Rosa von Praunheim, Production Manager: Martin Kruppe, Cinematography: Elfi Mikesch, Thomas Ladenburger, Markus Tiarks, Sound: Manja Ebert, Martin Brinins, Music: Andreas Wolter, Editing: Mike Shephard, Commissioning Editors: Jens Stubenrauch (rbb), Esther Schapira (hr), Research: Markus Tiarks, Agnese Luse, Featuring Rosa von Praunheim, Gertrud Mischwitzky, Astrid Ruschlau, Ludwig Norz, Anita Kugler, Chris Kraus, Margers Vestermanis, Agnese Luse, Bella Blumenberga, Eckehard Wendorff, Karlis Kangeris.