During the Hungarian Uprising, a high school class in East Germany observes a minute of silence in class – as a gesture of solidarity with the victims of the violent crackdown. For the students, it is a quiet sign of compassion. The SED leadership, however, labels the act a “counterrevolutionary action.” The protest does not go without consequences for the young people: A minute of silence turns into a conflict with state authorities – and for those involved, an experience that shapes the rest of their lives.

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Following the screening of DAS SCHWEIGENDE KLASSENZIMMER (2018), there will be a discussion with Karsten Köhler (former class representative and eyewitness) and Dr. Jens Schöne (deputy Berlin Commissioner for Coming to Terms with the Past and historian), moderated by Antje Bernhardt (bernhardt-bildung).