The Legend of Paul and Paula
German Film Forum

Paul und Paula Bild © DEFA-Stiftung, Herbert Kroiss, Manfred Damm

East Germany / 1973 / 105’ 
Director: Heiner Carow

In 1970s East Berlin, single mother Paula and unhappily married functionary Paul keep missing each other in the same streets — until a chance encounter in a smoky bar sparks an intense romance and a turbulent story. Heiner Carow’s DEFA classic is a warm, rebellious celebration of personal happiness against socialist conformity, this cult phenomenon became a defiant anthem for individual freedom — nearly too subversive for its time.

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