The Silent Revolution (Das Schweigende Klassenzimmer)

Drama, Historical – Germany – 2018 – 111′

Sound Mix: Dolby Aspect Ratio: 2.39 : 1

In German with English Subtitles

Synopsis

A gripping and true story set in 1956 in East Germany of a group of students who saw their life changed forever by a harmless human act of solidarity during the early stage of the Cold War, where freedom of thinking and integrity could make anyone an enemy of the state… or an ordinary hero. This is a film about the extraordinary courage of young individuals in a time of political oppression.

The year is 1956. During a visit to the cinema in West Berlin, high school pupils Theo (Leonard Scheicher) and Kurt (Tom Gramenz) see dramatic pictures of the Hungarian uprising in Budapest on the newsreel. Back at school in Stalinstadt, they spontaneously decide to hold a minute’s silence in solidarity with the victims of the uprising during a lesson.  But the gesture causes much bigger ripples than expected: while their headmaster (Florian Lukas) initially tries to put the whole thing down to the whim of youth, the schoolchildren become objects of the political machinations of the fledgling East Germany. The People’s Education Minister (Burghart Klaußner) condemns the action as a clearly counterrevolutionary act and demands that the ringleader be named within a week. But the schoolchildren stick together, thus facing with a decision that will change their lives for ever…

Directed by

Lars Kraume

CAST

Michael Gwisdek / Florian Lukas / Burghart Klaussner / Ronald Zehrfeld / Jördis Triebel / Jonas Dassler / Isaiah Michaelski / Tom Gramenz / Leonard Scheicher / Anna Lena Klenke / Daniel Krauss / Carina N. Wiese

CREW

Director: Lars Kraume Screenwriter:Dietrich Garstka (book), Lars Kraume (adaptation)  DOP: Jens Harant Editor: Barbara Gies Music: Christoph M. Kaiser and Julian Maas Producers:  Miriam Düssel, Akzente Film & Fernsehproduktion

REACTIONS

“The ripple effect of a seemingly quite innocent idea and the subsequent, disproportionate reaction to is is fascinating to watch” –  Hollywood Reporter

“This is a solid, good-looking piece of filmmaking which is elevated by a clutch of strong performances from the young cast.” – Screen International

AWARDS AND FEST

Berlinale 2018 – Special Gala Screening

Festival de Cinéma de Valencienne 2018

Denmark – 2018 CPH PIX

Theaters
3/7/19 3/7/19 Movies of Delray Delray Beach, FL
3/8/19 3/8/19 Movies of Lakeworth Lakeworth, FL
3/8/19 4/4/19 EU FILM FESTIVAL @ Gene Siskel Film Center Chicago, IL
4/3/19 4/3/19 South Bay Film Society Redondo Beach, CA
4/3/2019 4/3/2019 South Bay Film Society Redondo Beach, CA
5/30/2019 6/2/2019 Berkshire International Film Festival Great Barrington, MA

Click on the desired media files

Poster

Stills

International Production Notes