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Podcast reveals the secrets of Konrad Wolf – A Master of Films!
On the occasion of Konrad Wolf's 100th birthday, students at the film university are creating a podcast about his life and work.
Podcast reveals the secrets of Konrad Wolf – A Master of Films!
On August 12, 2025, students at the film university will dedicate themselves to the life of Konrad Wolf, on the occasion of his 100th birthday. This multimedia initiative sheds light on his diverse biography and the impact of his works on German film history. The students combed through archives, viewed films and spoke to historians and contemporary witnesses to capture the various facets of Wolf's life.
The resulting podcast “Who was Konrad Wolf?” covers numerous aspects, including his escape from the Weimar Republic, his time as a soldier in the Red Army and his career as an outstanding DEFA director. The hosts Johanna Deventer and Fabien Meier not only provide historical insights, but also question whether Wolf's films are still relevant today and whether he is a suitable namesake for institutions.
The filmmaker's path
Konrad Wolf was born on October 20, 1925 in Hechingen and died on March 7, 1982 in East Berlin. He was an important director and a defining figure of the German Film Company (DEFA). His most famous films include *STARS* (1959), *DIVIDED HEAVEN* (1964) and *I WAS NINETEEN* (1967). Wolf's work deals with topics such as identity, homelessness and the German-Soviet relationship.
After his early emigration to Moscow in 1933, he became a Soviet citizen in 1936. During the Second World War he volunteered for the Red Army in 1942. For his services he was awarded the Order of the Red Star and the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st Class. After the war, he began a career at DEFA, where he joined as an assistant director in 1949 and later became a member of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED).
Wolf's influence and legacy
In his career, Wolf received numerous awards, including the gold medal at the Moscow International Film Festival for the film *PROFESSOR MAMLOCK* (1961) and the International Film Critics' Prize for *SOLO SUNNY* (1980). In addition to his work as a director, he was also president of the Academy of Arts in East Berlin and was actively involved in cultural issues and the film adaptation of important literary works.
His last film, *BUSCH SINGS* (1982), was a documentary series that focused on the songs of Ernst Busch. Wolf, known for his critical examination of the relationship between artist and state, addressed peace, justice and the search for happiness in society in his films. Despite his melancholic perspective, which is often described as "out of time", he left a lasting impression on the film world.
The podcast not only offers fascinating insights into Wolf's life, but also contains film clips and archive material from the DEFA Foundation. Contemporary witnesses such as Christa Wolf, his sister and author, and Werner Bergmann shed light on Wolf's influence and the challenges of his time. The podcast's soundtrack was created by Matias Santos, Jonas Schüsselin and Sophie Rothbarth, and the sound design is by Hristiyan Bistrishki.
The first episode is available for free on Spotify, with weekly releases. Those interested can find additional content on Instagram at @durchdenwolfdreh. Feedback and suggestions are also welcome at konradwolfpodcast(at)gmail.com.