Snack Bar Special

Streaming video - 1990

This film tells the story of the country’s decline from the point of view of employees of the Berlin-Lichtenberg station snack bar. Between running back and forth to the kitchen and the bar, they talk about their personal experiences in East Germany. They share their resentments about their state and talk about deciding to retreat into their private lives. The camera also carefully captures travelers standing at the snack bar, such as young people who share in passing their prediction: “As of tomorrow the military will rule.” The film ends with colorful scenes of the 40th anniversary celebrations, which ignore the nation-wide calls for political change and the brutal arrests of protesters behind the scenes.