Bis dass der Tod euch scheidet

Until Death Do Us Part

Panorama 2017

Jens, a construction worker in his mid-twenties and Sonja, a shop assistant, are in love. They marry and move into an apartment together. When Sonja has a child she gives up her job. After a while she begins to feel bored and isolated at home. She would like to work again, but Jens is very much against this because it wouldn’t conform to his perception of the kind of harmonious family life he was denied as a child. Sonja feels patronised and this puts a strain on their relationship. She secretly takes an exam to become a skilled worker. When Jens discovers this he is furious and lashes out physically. Colleagues try in vain to help but the situation deteriorates. Jens begins drinking; he completely loses control when he finds out that Sonja has had an abortion. Their love has now turned into outright hatred. One day Jens mistakenly drinks from a water bottle containing an aggressive detergent. Sonja does not stop him. His life hangs in the balance – and they recollect their love for one another. Traditional role models clash with modern concepts of marriage under socialism. The situation escalates.

by Heiner Carow
with Katrin Sass, Martin Seifert, Angelica Domröse, Irmgard Kuhlmey German Democratic Republic 1978 German 96’ Colour

With

Katrin Sass (Sonja)
Martin Seifert (Jens)
Angelica Domröse (Jens Sister)
Irmgard Kuhlmey (Tilli)

Crew

Written and Directed by	Heiner Carow
Cinematography	Jürgen Brauer
Screenplay	Günther Rücker

Produced by

DEFA-Studio für Spielfilme

Heiner Carow

Born in Rostock in 1929, he died in Berlin in 1997. At 21 he joined the directing class at the DEFA training school in East Berlin. Following numerous short documentaries, he transferred to the DEFA feature film studio. He directed successful children's and youth films and, from the 1970s, feature films for adults. Die Legende von Paul und Paula (1972/73) became his greatest success. He won the Silver Bear at the 1990 Berlinale for Coming Out.

Filmography

1953 Ein Schritt weiter; short documentary · Ein Schritt weiter; short documentary 1954 Dorf im Herbst; short documentary · Dorf im Herbst; short documentary · Der Strukturbohrer [Jg.1954 / Folge 06]; short documentary, co-director: Alfred Siegert, Lothar Devaal · Die Wette gilt; short documentary · Die Wette gilt; short documentary · Forschen und Schaffen. Folge VI; short documentary, Co-director: Alfred Siegert, Lothar Devaal 1956 Martins Tagebuch; short documentary · Martins Tagebuch; short documentary 1957 Sheriff Teddy · Sheriff Teddy 1959 Sie nannten ihn Amigo · Sie nannten ihn Amigo 1960 Das Leben beginnt · Das Leben beginnt 1961 Mongolia; documentary · Mongolia; documentary 1964 Die Hochzeit von Länneken · Die Hochzeit von Länneken 1966 Die Reise nach Sundevit · Die Reise nach Sundevit 1968 Die Russen kommen; Forbidden film, premiere in 1987 · Die Russen kommen; Forbidden film, premiere in 1987 1971 Karriere · Karriere 1973 Die Legende von Paul und Paula · Die Legende von Paul und Paula 1975 Ikarus · Ikarus 1978 Bis daß der Tod euch scheidet · Bis daß der Tod euch scheidet 1989 Coming out · Coming out · Zweiradshow; short documentary, co-director: Jürgen Voigt · Zweiradshow; short documentary, co-director: Jürgen Voigt 1992 Verfehlung · Verfehlung

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2020