Feierabend

In Feierabend (like he did in Asse from 1966), Karl Gass, also called the father of the GDR’s new documentary film, portrays workers in a petroleum processing plant in Schwedt. The latest film technology had made it possible to film people in close-up without disturbing their daily activities. Gass only observed things and never manipulated the events. Patience and alertness resulted in a serene film, showing how the men spend their leisure time in the evening: in the canteen, cooking food on a stove, reading or playing cards, spending time with others or retiring. Apparently, the director enjoyed the workers’ confidence. In a relaxed way, they go their own way, which makes the film look highly natural. (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)