Slowly recovering after the WW2 East Germany is still a state very much in chaos. The streets are dark, the atmosphere heavy, and the bars full of people finding temporary relief in loud parties. Arrested at a local pub after a violent brawl two youngsters are sent to the notorious at the time uranium mine in Wismut. A place full of ex-SS commanders, Russian soldiers that never made it back to their home country, prostitutes, ex-circus players, and workers truly believing in the rising power of the Communist Party, Wisumut feels like a ridiculous bad dream.

There is a certain feeling of urgency among those digging uranium ore in Wismut's mine. The Americans have developed and used the atomic bomb and the USSR needs as much uranium as possible to stay competitive. The newly founded GDR (German Democratic Republic) is naturally committed to help. Deep underground, geared with primitive equipment used to detect uranium ore, the miners are discussing the Party, life in Wismut, and like most men their fascination with the local women.

Sonnensucher (Sun Seekers) is a strange film. I don't quite know what made me feel more intrigued, the colorful mix of people that acted like the war never happened and were now digging radioactive uranium, or the fact that this film was actually made in 1972, at a time when the Cold War was at its peak. It seems to me that Konrad Wolf (1925-1982), whose work was censored and ultimately banned by the Russian Ministry of Culture and the local authorities in East Germany, has made a film that feels almost out of place. The talk, acting, and sceneries in Sonnensucher seemed apocalyptic to me. The fact that miners were digging with primitive equipment to supply uranium ore for the Red Army was absolutely inconceivable to me. Not because it could not have happened but because they were so passionate about it. Especially given the fact that just s few years ago most of them were on opposite sides fighting each other.

There is much in Sonnensucher that could have enraged the Soviet authorities and judging by its fate the film definitely accomplished its mission. Towards the middle of Sonnensucher after a heated debate two of the main characters engage in a dialog discussing the value of the Party and the growing power of internationalism. Masked under a heavy dose of populist statements, however, lies a harsh criticism directed towards the Communist Party which the Soviet leaders must have detected. The blatant propaganda statements which the film makes are obviously a pretext for Wolf to deliver a much different message deliberately grouping together communists with ex-Nazis.

Put the political aspect of this film aside, Sonnensucher is indeed an engaging story combining elements of early Italian neo-realism with classic German cinema that are rather unique. There is a specific scene where a group of women is discussing one of the mine's supervisors at the bottom of an enormous pile of debris that is absolutely breathtaking. Surrounded by radioactive waste products and clad only in light protective clothes the women looked almost surreal to me. If nothing else, Sonnensucher is very much a film that has captured the essence of a time when life was absurd and in my opinion almost inconceivable by today's standards.

Sonnensucher is a niche film that offers a look at the cinematic and political past of a country that has forever disappeared. While some of the controversy surrounding this film may seem a bit exaggerated to modern-day viewers in my mind this is undoubtedly a cinematic work that offers an invaluable look at the turbulent time of the early 1950s. A good, powerful, and grippingly realistic film.

How Does the Film Look?

Sonnensucher is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.37:1 and looks relatively good. There is some good contrast though lacking just a tiny bit in depth. Image is mostly stable. The film print shows some minor damage and in my opinion could have benefited from a good restoration work. Still, this is an acceptable image quality which considering the recent status of the film (available only through German film archives) is just fine. Optional German subtitles are provided for the main feature. Unfortunately there must have been a minor glitch with the mastering of this DVD as occasionally a question mark will appear in front of every sentence due to unknown to me reasons. The main feature could be accessed through German or English menu systems.

How Does the Disc Sound? Generally speaking the sound appears acceptable. The DVD offers a German original mono track. With this said I am unsure why there are small portions spoken in Russian that appear without English subs.

Extras: There is a small introduction that focuses on the political and historic past of East Germany and a few specific facts pertaining to the filming of Sonnensucher. In addition the following extras are present (with English subs where needed):

Photo Gallery-

Biographies-

Filmographies-

Wismut Today-

Portrait: Wismut Inc.-

The Eyewitness: about director Konrad Wolf-

The Eyewitness: about Gunther Simon-

The Eyewitness: about Erwin Geschonneck-

Horst Kube in agitation patrol of "The Eyewitness"-

The Eyewitness: Brigitte Krause-

The DEFA Film Library-

Final Thoughts: Sonnensucher is an interesting film that brings us back to a time that nowadays looks and feels almost surreal. Konrad Wolf has created a well-structured story that offers an insightful look at the political past of a country that has disappeared in the history annals. The mere fact that this, until recently, forgotten film is now available to English-speaking audiences is commendable. RECOMMENDED.