Asking for permission to move to West Germany could lead to surveillance, imprisonment and a ban on working within one's chosen profession. Barbara (Nina Hoss) is determined to escape the 1980s GDR having been denied a permit to leave. In the meantime, she has to work in a shabby hospital in the countryside as an over-qualified doctor. She is manipulated and humiliated by Stasi officials. Her colleague André seems to follow her every step, and she is unsure whether he has a personal interest or is simply a spy. All Barbara can do is hide her emotions – except with a young patient who is transferred from a juvenile detention, and who seems the only person to whom Barbara can show her true self while secretly planning her exit. BARBARA earned Christian Petzold (YELLA, JERICHOW) the Silver Bear for Best Director at this year’s Berlinale – his film is finally a true-life portrayal of GDR end-times, featuring the ghost-like, subtle signature that has made him so popular among cinephiles worldwide.

Related Films

Combat Girl

Formentera

Home for the Weekend

Reported Missing

The Big Eden

Totem