In February 2025, the world premiere of "BEYOND THE BERLIN WALL - Reports from Stasi Prisoners" took place in Berlin. An unusual documentary about three biographies from very different backgrounds who share one thing in common - they all ended up in prison.

A minor so-called misstep could land even a respected GDR television presenter in a dreaded State Security prison in East Berlin. However, Edda Schönherz's final destination for several years was the notorious Hoheneck women's prison. Matthias Leupold, then a driver for fashion magazines, was also taken out of circulation by the Stasi. Today he is an internationally recognized artist and professor of photography in Berlin. The third protagonist of the film is Hans-Joachim Lietsche. His fate was to have distributed a few leaflets.

We are showing excerpts from the film, which not only provides insights into the Stasi's cruel strategies and special interrogation techniques, but is also a valuable historical document for future generations. All three protagonists will be present. The film is currently being shown in Seattle and New York.

PARTICIPANTS

Prof. Matthias Leupold, former prisoner, producer

Edda Schönherz, former prisoner

Hans Joachim Lietsche, former inmate

MODERATION

Prof. Dr. Helmut Müller-Enbergs, political scientist

Admission free