In a country that no longer exists: Drama about a young woman in East Berlin who is accidentally discovered as a model in GDR times and discovers an opportunity for her creative freedom
Film plot and background
Drama about a young woman in East Berlin who is accidentally discovered as a model in GDR times and discovers an opportunity for her creative freedom.
It’s 1989 in East Berlin: Suzie (Marlene Burow) is kicked out of school shortly before graduating from high school and has to prove herself as a worker in a cable factory. A photograph taken by chance, however, leads her into the fashion world of the GDR. Editor-in-chief Elsa Wilbrodt (Claudia Michelsen) puts her on the cover of Sibylle, the GDR’s fashion magazine.
In Berlin’s underground scene she makes the acquaintance of the gay fashion designer Rudi (Sabin Tambrea), who conjures up his works of art from all available fabrics such as shower curtains and scraps. Suzie falls in love with the photographer Coyote (David Schütter) during her work, who soon offers to fly to the sea with her – out of the socialist ropes. But Suzie must decide if she is brave enough to leave the old strands behind forever.
“In a land that no longer exists” – background, cast, cinema release
Director Aelrun Goette (“Die Kinder sind tot”) offers a rare cinematic excursion into the fashion world of the GDR with “In einem Land, das es nicht mehr gibt”. In the VHB Exquisit, exclusive and expensive fashions were created – for GDR citizens – which, however, did not hold a candle to today’s fashion standards. The Sibylle was considered the fashion magazine in the GDR and was only discontinued in 1995 and the fashion designers had to conjure up a lot from a few fabrics.
Goette herself modelled in the GDR shortly before the fall of communism and knows the world like no other. The film “In a country that no longer exists” is based on true events.
Newcomer Marlene Burow (“Kitz”) plays the leading role of Suzie, who is looking for freedom. She is joined by stars such as Sabin Tambrea (“Narziss und Goldmund”), David Schütter (“Barbaren”), Claudia Michelsen (“Das Ende der Wahrheit”) and Peter Schneider (“Dark”).
In einem Land, das es nicht mehr gibt” will be released in German cinemas on 6 October 2022.
