The Divided Heaven

Director: Konrad Wolf
East Germany / 1964 / 113’
In German with English subtitles

East Germany, 1964: Rita, a bright and idealistic student, is assigned to work in a factory before the academic term starts. She falls for Manfred, an older chemist whose innovative process is rejected by authorities. Disillusioned, he flees to West Berlin, expecting Rita to follow. But unable to embrace Western consumerism, she returns to the East, plunging her into a personal crisis. Deeply influenced by the French New Wave, the film offers a sharp critique of socialist bureaucracy and remains as one of East Germany’s most daring and artistically significant films.

1964 Nominated for Best Film, Karlovy Vary International Film Festival