When does the exhibition take place?

The visit date is October 22, 2026, starting at 10:00 AM. The exhibition runs until May 2, 2027.

Where is the exhibition located?

The exhibition takes place at the Filmmuseum Potsdam at Breite Straße 1 a, 14467 Potsdam.

How much does admission cost?

Admission to the exhibition is free.

What is the exhibition about?

The exhibition deals with the founding years of DEFA, the cinematic new beginning after 1945, and the engagement with war, dictatorship, guilt, and responsibility.

Which films are addressed?

The mentioned early DEFA productions include The Murderers Are Among Us, Marriage in the Shadow, and The Council of the Gods.

Is the event indoors?

Yes, the exhibition takes place indoors at the Filmmuseum Potsdam.

Diene Ehrlich Peaceful Construction Potsdam 2026

Name: Diene Ehrlich Peaceful Construction
Start: 2026-10-22T10:00:00+02:00
End: 2027-05-02T18:00:00+02:00
Location: Filmmuseum Potsdam

Film as a Response to War and Dictatorship: Diene Ehrlich Peaceful Construction

How does new cinema emerge after destruction, hunger, and political upheaval? The foyer exhibition Diene Ehrlich Peaceful Construction at the Filmmuseum Potsdam is dedicated to the founding years of DEFA and the cultural new beginning after 1945. The exhibition opens on October 22, 2026, at 10:00 AM and invites visitors to experience film history as a reflection of social responsibility.

Between Ruins and New Beginnings

After twelve years of Nazi dictatorship, Germany was largely destroyed in 1945. In this tense time of upheaval, film enthusiasts founded the Filmaktiv, the seed of what would later become DEFA. The exhibition makes visible how filmmakers searched for answers to the pressing questions of their time under difficult conditions.

Early DEFA Films as Historical Evidence

Central to the exhibition are significant productions from the early post-war years, including The Murderers Are Among Us, Marriage in the Shadow, and The Council of the Gods. These films address guilt, responsibility, and the causes of World War II. Thus, the exhibition connects film history with political education and cultural memory.

An Exhibition in Honor of the DEFA Anniversary

The presentation was conceived on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of DEFA's founding. The Filmmuseum Potsdam places the early film works in their historical context and opens a focused access to an era when cinema meant far more than entertainment. For visitors, an intense event experience emerges between film art, contemporary history, and social new beginnings.

Atmosphere and Target Audience

The foyer exhibition appeals to film enthusiasts, history-interested adults, families with older children, as well as visitors to the cultural landscape of Potsdam. In the quiet museum atmosphere, there is room for concentrated observation and personal reflection. The event planning as an openly accessible cultural offering makes the visit particularly low-threshold.

Conclusion

Diene Ehrlich Peaceful Construction shows how cinema became a place of debate, remembrance, and hope after war and dictatorship. Those who want to understand the beginnings of DEFA and experience historical film culture firsthand will find an impressive access at the Filmmuseum Potsdam. Admission is free – a great opportunity to discover the exhibition live.