Freistaat Mittelpunkt

Deutschland 2018/2019 Dokumentarfilm

Summary

Free State Midpoint

Documentary about Ernst Otto Karl Grassmé, who was interned and forcibly sterilized by Nazis in 1939. The reason: Grassmé, then the owner of a construction business in Altona, was diagnosed as schizophrenic, which was considered a hereditary disease. After his release, he retreated to a small wooded area, the Birkenmoor grove, which was his property. There, among makeshift dwellings and all manner of garbage and junk, he led the life of an eccentric hermit. He recorded his thoughts and feelings in letters. In the village community, he was considered a quirky outsider, but continued to be ostracized by many. Grassmé never received an official apology for the crime done to him; on the contrary, he continued to be harassed and disrespected by the authorities. He received compensation only shortly before his death. The film draws a comprehensive portrait of Ernst Otto Karl Grassmé as a person, and at the same time asks questions about what a self-determined life means and how society deals with the non-conformist and outsider.

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Credits

Director

Director of photography

Editing

Music

Production company

Producer

All Credits

Duration:
80 min
Format:
DCP, 16:9
Video/Audio:
Farbe, Dolby
Censorship/Age rating:

FSK-Prüfung (DE): 04.08.2020, 200676, ab 12 Jahre / feiertagsfrei

Screening:

Uraufführung (DE): 05.04.2019, Hamburg, Dokumentarfilmwoche;
Kinostart (DE): 09.09.2021

Titles

  • Originaltitel (DE) Freistaat Mittelpunkt

Versions

Original

Duration:
80 min
Format:
DCP, 16:9
Video/Audio:
Farbe, Dolby
Censorship/Age rating:

FSK-Prüfung (DE): 04.08.2020, 200676, ab 12 Jahre / feiertagsfrei

Screening:

Uraufführung (DE): 05.04.2019, Hamburg, Dokumentarfilmwoche;
Kinostart (DE): 09.09.2021

Awards

FBW 2020
  • Prädikat: besonders wertvoll