- Director: Matti Geschonneck
- Screenplay: Wolfgang Kohlhaase
- Cinematography: Hannes Hubach
- Editing: Dirk Grau
- Cast: Bruno Ganz, Hildegard Schmahl, Sylvester Groth, Yevgeniya Dodina, Alexander Fehling, Angela Winkler, Stephan Grossmann, Inka Friedrich, Thorsten Merten
- Producer: Oliver Berben, Sarah Kirkegaard, Reinhold Elschot, Stefanie von Heydwolff, ZDF
- Production: Moovie
- Distributor: Filmcoopi
- Contact: Marco Brazerol,
- Festivals: Zürich Film Festival, Solothurn
In times of fading light
East Berlin, early spring 1989. Wilhelm Powileit (Bruno Ganz), highy decorated SED party veteran and patriarch of the family, is celebrating his 90th birthday today. The GDR, which he helped to build with his conviction, is also celebrating its 40th birthday - and it will be the last one. Wilhelm and his wife Charlotte, tied together in dear embitterment, are preparing for the honorary day. Neighbours, comrades and singing pioneers line up to congratulate Wilhelm Powileit, to present flowers and to bestow one more medal on him. The only one missing from Wilhelm's family is his grandson Sascha - he had fled to the West a couple of days ago ...
Screenplay author Wolfgang Kohlhaase focuses Eugen Ruge's success novel into the events of one day. At the top of an excellent acting ensemble Bruno Ganz in a radiant role embodies the contradictions, absurdities and the tragic of a sinking state.
Matti Geschonneck 1952 born in Potsdam, GDR. He grew up in Berlin, next to Boxhagener Platz. When he didn't distance himself from dissident Biermann he had to end his studies of directing in Moscow. Since 1978 he has lived in West Germany.
Filmography (selection)
2017 In Zeiten des abnehmenden Lichts
2014 Das Zeugenhaus
2012 Das Ende einer Nacht
2010 Boxhagener Platz
2006 Silberhochzeit
2005 Die Nachrichten
1991 Moebius (cinema debut)
