Kirmes (1960)
As World War II draws to a close, a German soldier haunted by the horrors of executing innocents decides to abandon his post and seek refuge in his hometown. Upon his return, he finds the village deserted, save for a diligent French girl and himself. Together, they dismantle all remnants of the Nazi regime, hopeful that the tyranny has ended.
Their optimism is short-lived, as the Germans swiftly reoccupy the village, searching for those responsible for removing the propaganda. Fear grips the community, and the girl, fearing repercussions, procures civilian attire for the soldier from her employer. However, when it becomes evident that there is no sanctuary and that his family faces peril if he is discovered, the soldier tragically takes his own life.
Fifteen years later, during the construction of a temporary fairground, the soldier's remains resurface. Despite the revelation, his family and the townsfolk choose to bury the painful past, allowing the unidentified corpse to remain a silent testament to the harrowing events of wartime.
Film programs
Books with substantial mentioning of Kirmes
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Egon Netenjakob u.a. Staudte Berlin, 1991 |
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Eva Orbanz (Redaktion) Wolfgang Staudte Berlin, 1977 |
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