Mein lieber Robinson

The circumstances that led to the DEFA retrospective held from November 20th to December 29th, 1975 at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and its specific composition are no longer common knowledge today. Under the title of “Films from the German Democratic Republic, 1946–1974”, the MoMa program magazine announced the film series as follows: “First comprehensive program in the United States of feature films from East Germany that dramatize the fascist period, anti-Semitism and relevant contemporary problems.” Curator Tobias Hering has carried out research on this almost forgotten chapter of DEFA history and written an article for DEFA’s 2023 Leuchtkraft Journal. In conversation with Linda Söffker, he will give a recap of the genesis of the program, which consisted of 21 features, and go into detail about the roles of the key stakeholders involved in preparing and carrying out the retrospective on both sides. To set the mood and start the discussion, Roland Gräf’s debut film MEIN LIEBER ROBINSON will be shown, which was screened on December 20th, 1975 at the MoMa cinema auditorium. (Linda Söffker)