Das Haus – 1984

THE HOUSE was commissioned by the former East German state documentary division, which produced archival films to document everyday life in the country. Director Heise had to break off his film studies at Potsdam-Babelsberg after his film Why Make a Movie About People Like Them? (1980) ran afoul of the East German authorities. With THE HOUSE, Heise had the opportunity to realize uncensored his tack of allowing his subjects to speak freely, and capturing even non-conformist utterings. Shot with minimal equipment and with no narration, the discussions sometimes reveal harsh societal grievances.