Bornholmer Straße

There is a bit of a problem with the reflection of the communist regimes in Central Europe. From the side of journalists and artists, there is a clear effort to take uncompromising condemnations and moralistic positions. From the side of viewers - those who remember the old order - there is a sense of nostalgia, not only for their own youth, but also for a world that was simple and, with a certain dose of conformity and frugality, actually comfortable and safe. The German production managed to balance both positions very well. The story of the last night of East German customs officers and border guards before the fall of the Berlin Wall and subsequently the entire regime is full of absurdity, black humor, and well-pointed situations. The injustice and dysfunction of the system are evident, not minimized or excused. On the other hand, filmmakers look at their protagonists from a human perspective, understanding their complicated situation. From the different experiences of East German and West German citizens, they try to create a unifying view of recent German history that does not violate history and yet allows those who were involved in it in one way or another to maintain their dignity. A likable cast and a quality screenplay - what more could you ask for? Overall impression: 90%. (10/03/2016)