The Lives of Others

This terrific German political thriller begins in East Berlin in 1984, five years before Glasnost and the fall of the Berlin Wall. The movie traces the gradual disillusionment of Captain Gerd Wiesler (Ulrich Muhe, best known for his lead roles in Michael Haneke's FUNNY GAMES and as Dr. Mengele in Costa-Gavras' AMEN), a highly skilled officer who works for the Stasi, East Germany's all-powerful secret police. His mission is to spy on a celebrated writer and actress couple.

An Oscar and Spirit Award winner for Best Foreign Language Film.

"Subtle script, superb cast, sensitive direction -- no wonder this film swept the German equivalent of the Oscars." (Toronto Globe & Mail)

"A potent narrative about the transformative effect of involvement in other people's stories, LIVES turns its own story into a python-tight embrace of nuanced tension and emotional connection." (Kenneth Turan, L.A. Times)

"It's one of the great moviegoing experiences of the year." (Glenn Whipp, L.A. Daily News)

Named by the L.A. Film Critics Association Best Foreign Language Film of 2006. A 2007 Independent Spirit Award nominee for Best Foreign Film.