In 1970s East Berlin, Paul, a disillusioned civil servant stuck in a loveless marriage, meets Paula, a spirited single mother struggling to raise her two children. Their unexpected romance ignites with raw intensity, offering both a glimpse of joy beyond their routine lives. As their passion deepens, they are forced to confront the harsh realities of their separate worlds — Paul’s obligations to his family and career, and Paula’s fight for independence — threatening the fragile happiness they’ve found together.
The film became an unexpected cultural phenomenon in East Germany, drawing millions of viewers despite—or perhaps because of—its bold critique of conformity and its celebration of personal freedom and emotional honesty.
Directed by Heiner Carow and produced by the state-run DEFA studio, it was nearly banned by GDR authorities for its politically sensitive themes, including individual desire clashing with socialist ideals.
The soundtrack by East German rock band Puhdys became iconic, with songs like “Geh zu ihr” and “Wenn ein Mensch lebt” closely tied to the film’s emotional tone and remembered as anthems of a generation.
It remains one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed films from the GDR, often cited as a rare example of romantic storytelling that resonated deeply behind the Iron Curtain.
