Wozu denn über diese Leute einen Film?

Summary

Like Schönemann, Thomas Heise worked with the stylistic devices of “cinéma vérité”. He was interested in direct observation, in openness for his interviewees, but not in the demands of the cultural bureaucrats. His self-assured practice film already contains pointers to later work. Heise set out to show the milieu of petty criminals in East Berlin, focusing on areas of life that were otherwise excluded from GDR filmmaking. A confrontation with the director of the Film Academy was inevitable, and the film was never shown in public. Soon afterwards, Heise bowed to the mounting pressure and broke off his studies. He then worked as freelance director on film, theatre and radio projects.

Source: Filmfestival goEast 2009