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The Lives of Others
The Lives of Others
8.3
/10
13,729 Ratings

THE LIVES OF OTHERS

Das Leben der Anderen

Directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Germany, 2006
Drama, Thriller, History

Synopsis

In 1983 East Berlin, dedicated Stasi officer Gerd Wiesler begins spying on a famous playwright and his actress-lover Christa-Maria. Wiesler becomes unexpectedly sympathetic to the couple, and faces conflicting loyalties when his superior takes a liking to Christa-Maria.

Synopsis

In 1983 East Berlin, dedicated Stasi officer Gerd Wiesler begins spying on a famous playwright and his actress-lover Christa-Maria. Wiesler becomes unexpectedly sympathetic to the couple, and faces conflicting loyalties when his superior takes a liking to Christa-Maria.

Our take

Broodingly atmospheric and replete with sharply-manoeuvred twists, this noir-inflected thriller examines the machinations of the East German regime in forensic detail. Winner of the Best International Feature Oscar®, The Lives of Others lucidly evokes the insidious terror of the surveillance state.