Neues in Wittstock (1992)

Overview

Sixth Wittstock film. This Wittstock film, co-produced by the French broadcaster La Sept, begins in 1990. Koepp shows the consequences of reunification and the economic and social upheavals in East Germany. The state-owned knitwear factory is privatized. Edith is the first of the film's protagonists to lose her job. She helped bring about the changes and left the SED, the GDR's ruling party, in September 1989. The three women agree that things could not continue as they were. Although they were all members of the SED and the upheavals hit them hard. Edith is in her mid-30s, as is "Stubsi," alias Elsbeth. Elsbeth is one of a group of 17 out of 80 workers who are allowed to keep their jobs. For now. Renate is laid off shortly after her 50th birthday and after 36 years of working in textile production. One of her daughters moved to the West before the end of the GDR. A good decision, Renate thinks.