Schlaraffenland

Michael Verhoeven's TV movie "Schlaraffenland" was one of the first, very direct and critical reactions to German reunification, looking at the flipside of the euphoria and gold-rush sentiment. The GDR citizens Karin and Jürgen want to leave the country in September 1989. They fail to escape via the Prague embassy, but shortly afterwards are able to move to Munich with official permission. There they take out a loan to start an ailing company, nearly ruining themselves and their marriage. Their best friends Marianne and Henri also fail to establish their own existence. Jürgen finally manages to become a successful entrepreneur in the construction business, but he is robbed of his illusions.