Luther the Reformer: Films from the GDR

Introduced by Anna Maria Boss, German Historical Institute.

Copyright by Luther
GDR, 1983, 17 min., Director: Lew Hohmann

The animated short film Copyright by Luther shows that the printing industry functions according to the conditions of supply and demand. The printing industry not only helped to spread reformist ideas, but also promoted a new "mass medium."

Bear Ye One Another's Burden... (Einer trage des anderen Last...) © DEFA-Stiftung, Norbert Kuhröber Bear Ye One Another's Burden... (Einer trage des anderen Last...)
GDR, 1988, 118 min., Director: Lothar Warneke

Two roommates in a private sanatorium in early-1950s East Germany are extremely different from one another. Josef is a communist policeman, while Hubertus is a Lutheran vicar. The film offers both suspense and comedy, as the two begrudgingly develop tolerance and respect for one another.

Anna Maria Boss joined the German Historical Institute as Head Librarian in August 2016. She previously worked as a librarian with the German military’s main information center (Fachinformationszentrum der Bundeswehr), assisting military organizations and individuals with their research as well as marketing the library’s  resources  and  services. Before that, she was Head Librarian at the Infantry School and United Nations Training Center of the German Army.

No charge; reservations requested. Seating is limited.