Wie war das

This documentary delves into the personal experiences and memories of individuals from the former GDR who were involved in the Stasi surveillance system. It explores their roles, motivations, and the complex emotional landscape surrounding their involvement. The film offers a nuanced perspective on how ordinary people became agents of a totalitarian regime. Through interviews and archival material, it seeks to understand the 'how' and 'why' behind their actions.

The film received moderate critical attention, with many reviewers commending its brave exploration of a sensitive topic and its attempt to humanize those involved in the Stasi. Some critics found the pacing to be slow at times, but generally, the documentary was seen as an important contribution to understanding the legacy of the GDR and its surveillance state.

• Praised for its candid interviews and exploration of moral ambiguity.

• Some found the documentary's approach to former Stasi collaborators to be too empathetic.

• Acknowledged as an important, if uncomfortable, look into a dark chapter of German history.

Google audience: Audience reception is not widely documented on Google, but available comments often highlight the film's thought-provoking nature and the challenging ethical questions it raises about complicity and memory.

Director Christian von Borries himself grew up in East Germany, which likely informed his approach to interviewing former Stasi collaborators with a degree of understanding rather than outright condemnation.