The 67th edition of DOK Leipzig, from 28 October to 3 November 2024, will feature the Retrospective, «Third Ways in a Divided World: Utopia and Subversion.» Curated by film critic Sylvia Görke, the programme will explore ideological alternatives beyond the Cold War’s bipolar power structure, offering a nuanced look at communist and socialist narratives.
The Retrospective presents films that reflect various aspirations for autonomy or alternative approaches to socialist doctrine, including movements from Cuba, Yugoslavia, and Poland. Notable works include Jean Rouch’s The Mad Masters (1955), Krystof Kieöloēski’s Refrain (1972) and Želimir Žilnik’s Black Film (1971). Victor Pahlen’s The Truth About Fidel Castro Revolution (1959), featuring Hollywood star Errol Flynn, will open the programme.
Görke highlights how these films challenge the East-West binary, reflecting broader anti-imperialism movements and exploring cultural liberalisation within socialist states. Many of the films, which address themes such as excessive bureaucratization and national revolutions, were not screened at the time of their release due to their subversive content.
In parallel, the Saxon State Archive will host a Matinee, «So Comrades, Come Rally! The GDR in Solidarity,» showcasing amateur films highlighting East Germany’s solidarity with oppressed peoples, particularly during the Cold War.
