Screening dissent: the uprising of 17 June 1953 in East German film

On 17 June 1953, hundreds of thousands East German citizens took part in the first major uprising Eastern Bloc. Across country, demonstrators demanded removal ruling Socialist Unity Party (SED) regime, as well better living and working conditions. Their protests ended under tracks Soviet tanks. No sooner had dust settled, than SED began to attempt shape perceptions unrest limit information about it accessible them. Thus, 1953 entered history books a brief account ‘failed fascist putsch’, inspired by ‘hooligans, former Nazis CIA agents’.Given politically sensitive nature subject, one might expect filmmakers have been forbidden from addressing what was biggest show dissent before 1989. Dramatised scenes did appear, however, two films television mini-series Germany. This article examines these productions closely. It shows that, while were permitted depict uprising, they could only do so very vague terms. Moreover, evidence suggests that motion picture depictions censored much more harshly those appeared literary productions. Despite its desire take control narrative screening such apparently almost unpalatable for regime.