Synopsis
East Germany’s notorious Stasi conducted endless surveillance on the country’s domestic population, rooting out so-called “enemies of socialism” while generating a paralyzing, Kafkaesque atmosphere of paranoia and dread. Writer-director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s stunning debut follows as the oppressive system consumes one of its own. Weisler (Ulrich Mühe), a Stasi agent and true believer, is assigned by corrupt party hacks to observe and investigate Dreyman (Sebastian Koch), a successful playwright. His investigation leads him in turn to Dreyman’s girlfriend Christa (Martina Gedeck), a tormented, power-hungry actress. The unintended consequences of Weisler’s discoveries mount up relentlessly as he learns more about the politicians who misuse the secrets he gathers. A gripping thriller and a vivid reconstruction of a vanished historical epoch, LIVES above all is a fascinating and timeless character study of a lost soul pulled back into the real world. –LG (Germany, 2006, 137m)
Year: 2007
Runtime: 137
Country: Germany
MPAA Rating: R
for some sexuality/nudity
Category: Feature
Color type
Cinepostproduction
Sound
Dolby Digital
Produced by
ARTE
Bayerischer Rundfunk
BR
Buena Vista International
Creado Film
Wiedemann & Berg Filmproduktion
Release
February 23, 2007 (USA - Limited)
by
Lions Gate Entertainment
Sony Pictures Classics
Awards
2006 - Best Foreign Film - Independent Spirit Award
2006 - Best Foreign Language Film - Golden Globe
2006 - Best Foreign Language Film - Satellite Awards
2006 - Best Foreign Film - Academy
2006 - Best Foreign Film - Independent Spirit Award
2006 - Best Foreign Film - Academy
2006 - Film Presented - Toronto International Film Festival
2006 - Film Presented - Telluride Film Festival
2006 - Film Presented - BFI London Film Festival
2006 - Best Foreign Film - Independent Spirit Awards
2006 - Best Foreign Language Film - Golden Globe
2006 - Best Foreign Language Film - Satellite Awards
2006 - Best Foreign Film - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie
2006 - Film Presented - London Film Festival
2006 - Best Foreign Language Film - Hollywood Foreign Press Association
2007 - KPN Audience Award (Time & Tide) - Rotterdam International Film Festival
2007 - Best Foreign Film - New York Film Critics Circle
2007 - Best Foreign Film - New York Film Critics Online
2007 - Best Foreign Language Film - Toronto Film Critics
2007 - Best Picture - Ohio Film Critics
2007 - Best Foreign Language Film - Ohio Film Critics
2007 - Film Presented - Berlin International Film Festival
2007 - KPN Audience Award (Time & Tide) - Rotterdam International Film Festival
2007 - Best Foreign Language Film - Toronto Film Critics Association