News from Berlin

A Commemoration of September 13th, 1964

March 25th, 2014
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News from Berlin - 

Tonight sees the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Berlin premiere Kuno Richter’s new film “Der King Code“. The film takes place in Tiergarten and deals with German history and, more specifically, with the dictatorship in Eastern Germany with specific focus being laid on the Socialist Unity Party of Germany which ruled at the time. Richter, a respected German journalist, author and film director, grew up in East Germany and has gained critical acclaim for his documentaries.

“Der King Code” follows two high school classes, from Wedding and Pankow respectively, in their quest to deal with and learn about the Iron Curtain and German reunification. In order to deepen their knowledge and apply it to one specific aspect, the events of September 13th, 1964 have been focused on where East German soldiers shot at an escapee. That same day saw Martin Luther King hold speeches in two churches in East Berlin urging for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The project had the pupils find and interview people who lived in East and West Berlin during the Cold War. On top of that, the students have also conducted interviews with Michael Meyer, who tried to escape East Berlin, and also Gesine Schuppan, who witnessed Martin Luther King’s speech at the Marienkirche in 1964. Furthermore, the students will visit multiple historical sights. In general, the project seems to have been received quite well with students and teachers showing enthusiasm towards the activities and events that have been documented. The documentary, which shows historical and cultural aspects, as well as contrasting attitudes and cross-border clashes, is eagerly anticipated and will be shown on national television on April 6th, 2014.

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