Martin Semmelrogge is filming a comedy in Vogtland: Corona in the GDR!

Martin Semmelrogge is filming a comedy in Vogtland: Corona in the GDR!

Filming for the new comedy “Mask on, Comrades” is in full swing in the picturesque Vogtland. The well-known actor Martin Semmelrogge takes on the key role of a pharmacist who is trying to develop a remedy against Corona. The action takes place in the fictional town of Kleinhoffnung in the GDR, which serves as the setting for this amusing look at a serious topic. Choosing an imaginary city has the advantage of not foregrounding real places, which makes the depiction more creative and unbiased, reports tagesschau.de.

Filming takes place in a variety of locations such as Adorf, Bad Brambach, Schönberg and Oelsnitz. The Oelsnitz Pharmacy Museum in particular is being transformed into a hotspot for film production, which the directors and actors are enthusiastic about. Michael Ransburg, a colleague of Semmelrogge, draws comparisons to the popular series “Babylon Berlin” and praises the special flair on the set. The idea of ​​setting the film's subject matter in the GDR not only encompasses historical connotations, but also offers a unique, humorous approach to current issues.

A committed team

The producer Sandra Peter plays a central role in the project. Despite the financial challenges, she has so far financed the project out of her own pocket and launched crowdfunding for post-production in order to effectively implement the collective talents and ideas. Anja Gürtler, who herself plays a role in the new comedy, also contributes to the authentic atmosphere. She brought many collectibles from the GDR from her own youth, while others threw them away. These include ABS cutlery from Aue and crepe toilet paper from Dessau, which bring a piece of home to the set.

The team has big plans: Filming will continue until September 2025 before the film is expected to be released in cinemas in spring 2026. It remains exciting to see how the film will be received by audiences and whether the production will succeed in reflecting the significance of the events surrounding the pandemic in an entertaining way.

Well anchored dramaturgically and historically

The examination of the GDR in film is supported by information platforms such as the “Handbook”, which offers comprehensive insights into the filmic treatment of the GDR. Such projects, which are interdisciplinary and bring together academics from different disciplines, create a deeper context for works like “Mask on, Comrades”. The historical and social framework conditions in the GDR are up for discussion, as shown on ddr-im-film.de can be read and how they shape the narrative and the choice of topics.