Film about secret GDR banknotes: insight into the Stasi era!

Film about secret GDR banknotes: insight into the Stasi era!

Cologne is facing a special event on August 14, 2025: the feature film “Two to One” will premiere at the Stasi headquarters in Berlin. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. and is organized by the Federal Archives and several partners, including the Berlin Commissioner for the Comprehension of the SED Dictatorship and the Robert Havemann Society. Admission is free, which makes the opportunity extremely attractive for anyone interested in cinema and history. Viewers can look forward to an exciting story that was realized in 2024 by director Natja Brunckhorst.

The plot revolves around Maren (Sandra Hülser) and Robert (Max Riemelt), who discover a secret tunnel with GDR banknotes in Halberstadt. Using their skills, they develop a system to exchange the money for western goods. This exciting plot not only promises entertainment, but also makes you think about the history of the GDR and the complexities of dealing with financial resources. The film screening is complemented by a preliminary discussion by Dr. Jens Schöne, the deputy Berlin representative for coming to terms with the SED dictatorship, and a subsequent film discussion with Lysann Goldbach from KfW.

Accompanying program for those interested

Before the film, a preliminary program starts at 5:45 p.m., which enables participants to gain deeper insights into the topic of the Stasi and their methods. This includes a journey of discovery through sample files and a contemporary witness tour of the open-air exhibition “Revolution and the Fall of the Wall”. Such events are not only educational, but also raise awareness of the surveillance and repression carried out by the State Security Service (Stasi) during the GDR. It is a special occasion to come to terms with the past and to understand what a central role the Stasi played in maintaining the SED dictatorship. This is also documented by the files of the State Security Service, which have been part of the Federal Archives since 2021. These files are of great importance for research into GDR history and are accessible at various locations. Ultimately, they were saved from extermination by the occupation of the Stasi offices during the fall of the Wall, which forms the basis for a comprehensive investigation.

The Stasi and its surveillance methods

The numerous materials located in the Stasi records archive reveal the unscrupulous methods of the Ministry for State Security (MfS). The GDR's rulers were able to maintain their control over the population through extensive citizen surveillance and the persecution of dissidents. Although many citizens were aware of the surveillance, the detailed background often remained unclear. Coming to terms with this history is therefore important not only for historians, but also for the general public, who can obtain information through exhibitions and museums.

The files of the Federal Archives include not only documents, but also photo, film and audio documents that impressively illustrate the GDR period. People who are interested in this topic or who have been directly affected by it can view their personal files and learn more about their own history. This promotes a deeper dialogue about the psychological consequences of surveillance and repression, which continue to affect many people today.

On August 14th, everyone who wants to deal with the topic, as well as film enthusiasts from Cologne, will come together at the Campus for Democracy in Berlin to embark on a captivating journey through the GDR's past. Further information on registration and tours is available via the email address einblick-ins-geheime@bundesarchiv.de. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about the dark chapters of German history!

For more details about the event and how to register, click here: Federal Archives. The archive itself also offers comprehensive information about the Stasi and its files, which is accessible to the public: Ministry of Culture. A deeper insight into the processes and modes of operation of the Stasi can be gained from the GDR Comprehension page: GDR reappraisal.