Movies & Series

DEFA: Female actors

The profession of actor/actress was well respected in the GDR. Actors and actresses received excellent training, for example at the renowned "Ernst Busch" drama school, and as a rule played both in the theatre and in film and television. As was the case for other cultural workers, there were always problems for actors and actresses if they did not commit their work to socialism and wanted to go their own artistic way. Accordingly, many left the GDR. The subject of "acting" would fill several fascinating books, so here is a small selection of particularly important actors and actresses. The collection may also include films made after the fall of the Wall, which indicate the continuity of artistically significant work.

The profession of actor/actress was well respected in the GDR. Actors and actresses received excellent training, for example at the renowned "Ernst Busch" drama school, and as a rule played both in the theatre and in film and television. As was the case for other cultural workers, there were always problems for actors and actresses if they did not commit their work to socialism and wanted to go their own artistic way. Accordingly, many left the GDR. The subject of "acting" would fill several fascinating books, so here is a small selection of particularly important actors and actresses. The collection may also include films made after the fall of the Wall, which indicate the continuity of artistically significant work.

The profession of actor/actress was well respected in the GDR. Actors and actresses received excellent training, for example at the renowned "Ernst Busch" drama school, and as a rule played both in the theatre and in film and television. As was the case for other cultural workers, there were always problems for actors and actresses if they did not commit their work to socialism and wanted to go their own artistic way. Accordingly, many left the GDR. The subject of "acting" would fill several fascinating books, so here is a small selection of particularly important actors and actresses. The collection may also include films made after the fall of the Wall, which indicate the continuity of artistically significant work.