The Lives of Others (2006)

The Lives of Others

Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck

Germany

Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s debut film, The Lives of Others, touches on one of the most pivotal time periods in Western Civilization. Earning the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, von Donnersmarck’s film humanizes the story of post-war East Berlin and fall of the Wall. Many would agree this is no small task. But, he does so by conveying the compassion that lies within all human beings, and the change that developed as a result; and the result that changed the world forever.


Prior to the fall of the Berlin Wall in the fall of 1989, East Germany, also known as the German Democratic Republic (GDR), fervently attempted to maintain the socialist country they had preserved since the end of the Second World War. However, much like all attempts to suppress human growth and free will, a resistance was built over time against the socialist establishment. In direct opposition to the rapidly developing Western Germany, GDR was clearly falling behind the western world.


The film centers on Stasi Captain Gerd Wiesler, played by Ulrich Muhe. The Stasi were created as East Berlin secret police, made up of spies and informants for the socialist party. We are introduced to Captain Wiesler while he is teaching a class of Stasi recruits the brutal interrogations tactics of the secret police. Wiesler’s superior officer Anton Grubitz (Ulrich Tukur) endows him with the task of spying on the East Berlin social scene; most notably freelance playwright Georg Dreyman (Sebastian Koch) and his girlfriend, actress Christa-Maria Sieland (Martina Gedeck).


As Wiesler begins his spy operation on Dreyman, it soon becomes clear as to why he has been tasked with finding dirt on the popular playwright. GDR’s Minister of Culture, Bruno Hempf (Thomas Thieme), has his eye on Dreyman’s girlfriend and plans to exert his power to get what he wants.


Yet, as Wiesler begins to watch over the day-to-day life of Georg and Christa, he begins to develop sympathy. However, this sympathy is not born from their political affiliations, but rather from the simple compassion for the life of another human being. Wiesler’s empathy also appears to draw its strength from his solitude. Being the captain of the Stassi secret police does not bring many friendships or relationships, and we can clearly see the loneliness that troubles him.


For quite some time, Wiesler continues to cover up the activities of Georg and Christa by lying in his daily reports on the lives of each. Shortly after the suicide death of his favorite director and closest friend, Georg, using his only weapon to fight against the socialist government, decides to write an anonymous article in the German magazine Der Spiegel. In the article, Dreyman speaks to the apparent concealment of the strikingly high suicide rate in East Germany; second only to Hungry during this time period. Heartbreaking tragedy ensues following the decision of Wiesler to protect Georg and Christa, after it becomes clear that Georg will be accused of penning the article.


The tragedy that ensues as a result of the unkempt secrets and the relentless pressure of the Communist Party is overshadowed by the compassion of Gerd Wiesler. The example of his empathy becomes a microcosm for the collapse of the Communist Party and the unification of Berlin after the fall of the wall. In his attempt to intimidate Dreyman, Minister Hempf exclaims, “no matter how many times you say it in your plays, people do not change.” Cleary he is wrong. What is also clear is von Donnersmarck has created a masterpiece of dramatic film, which comes with our highest recommendation.


Rating: 10/10

- Joshua Albrent