The 30th anniversary of the reunification of Germany in 1990 offers HOME the opportunity to celebrate that nation’s film history. In order to do that we screen a classic film from the East German film production outfit, DEFA (Deutsche Film-Aktiengesellschaft), Carbide and Sorrel.
Carbide and Sorrel (Karbid und Sauerampfer) is a comedy from 1963, directed by Frank Beyer and with DEFA stalwart Erwin Geschonneck in the lead. Set in 1945, after the end of World War II, the film follows the adventures of Karl ‘Kalle’ Blücher as he is sent to search for the carbide needed to replace the destroyed roof of a cigarette factory. As he crosses paths with a range of characters, Karl’s journey offers Beyer and his co-screenwriter Hans Oliva the opportunity to create a number of comedic interludes that also offer insights into post-war East Germany.
Look out for more films from DEFA and director Frank Beyer at HOME in 2021.