Films by Ruben S. Bürgam

Germany 2013, 96 min
by Stefan Weinert

Families of people murdered along the border of East and West Berlin tell their stories.“A two-year suspended sentence for firing the fatal shot. Imagine that.“ A compelling introduction in today’s Berlin to protagonist Irmgard B. mother of a son shot dead in 1986. In an oppressive, authoritarian state, the bereaved are also the victims. Even now, more than a quarter of a century on, they still suffer the trauma of their loss. One woman protagonist doesn’t know what happened to her son’s corpse; another still doesn’t know how and why her husband drowned at the former border; a third discovers photographs in a Stasi case file and is confronted for the first time with images of the dead body of his father. The film’s climax arrives in the form of a meeting between a marksman and the son of his victim. 

Germany 2009, 85 min
by Stefan Weinert

The five life stories told by former East German citizens incarcerated for attempting to flee the Republic in the GDR who are representing a group of around 72,000 ex-convicts are shocking to the core. The subjects speak with extraordinary openness of their struggles with the regime, of horrific prison conditions and interrogation methods. This sensitive documentary maintains a close proximity to its protagonists throughout, examining open wounds and bringing psychological damage to light that have made it impossible for them to live a normal fear-free lives ever since.A remarkable cinematic contribution that shows five unique facets of a daily life consisting of torture, abominations and violations of human dignity without attempting to judge, provoke or explain.Rather, the film documents and makes an important chapter in German history more palpable in the best possible sense.„Takes up the story where the Oscar winning film 'The Lives of Others‘ leaves off.“ DIE ZEITSales Germany, Switzerland & Austria: Salzgeber & Co. Medien GmbHothers: Stefan Weinert