GEGEN DIE GRENZE < documentaries < expressive.tv [ Documentary Films - Production Services - Camera Crews - Editing - Munich, Germany

GEGEN DIE GRENZE

The life and death of Michael Gartenschläger, who continued fighting the East German regime even after his release into the West.
Co-directed with Alexander Dittner.

UPSTREAM BATTLE

PRO 7 REPORTAGE

GEGEN DIE GRENZE

THE LOCH LONG MONSTER

WAR & PEACE: MUNICH, 7 OCTOBER

TO BE A NATION AGAIN

THE SURF SCHOOL

IM AUFTRAG DES SCHICKSALS

DER SCHRIFTGELEHRTE

GEGENWARTSBEWÄLTIGUNG

GEGEN DIE GRENZE

This is the story of Michael Gartenschläger, a former political prisoner in East Germany. Sentenced for life at the age of 17, and later redeemed by the West, he could not stop fighting the socialist regime. He boldly dismantled spring-gun mines at the border to reveal their presence to the public. The Stasi killed him in 1976.

The film reconstructs Gartenschläger's life and presents a number of newly discovered documents, including original audio tapes of an interview in which he talks about his actions and motives.

This film was made by Xframe and commissioned by RBB in 2004. It has since been shown many times by public broadcasters across Germany.

written and directed by
Alexander Dittner
Ben Kempas

Producer, Editor:
Alexander Dittner

Cinematographer,
Production Manager:
Ben Kempas

Sound Recordist,
Camera Assistant:
Oliver Sachs

Production Assistant:
Mareike Hanisch

Sound mix:
Heiko Müller

Researchers, Consultants:
Lothar Lienicke
Franz Bludau

Consulting Historian:
Dr. Joachim Scherrieble

Production Manager:
Rainer Baumert (RBB)

Commissioning Editor:
Rolf Bergmann (RBB)

produced by
Xframe GmbH

Duration:
44 minutes