Jana and Jan

(Jana und Jan)

Germany, 1991, 84 min, color
In German; English subtitles
Credits:
Director
Script
Dramaturg
Editor
Camera
Set Design
Costume Design
Music (Score)
Cast

Synopsis

Fall 1989: Jan is almost 16. Caught while trying to escape to West Germany, he is transferred from prison to a juvenile detention center. Here, he meets Jana … and what starts as a bet, becomes true love. When Jana gets pregnant, the situation spirals out of control. In the summer of 1990, Jana and Jan flee into the insecure future of a new Germany.

 

In this film the director, internationally known for his critical films about children and young people, cast non-professional actors—some from juvenile detention centers—in the leading roles.

 

Part of the series WENDE FLICKS: Last Films from East Germany, which commemorates the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Awards

1993 Special Youth Award, San Remo Film Festival
1993 Bavarian Film Award for Best Director (Helmut Dziuba)

Press comments

“A portrait of lost and abandoned youth during the GDR’s upheaval. Sensitively directed and played.”
— film-dienst.de

 

“Helmut Dziuba was one of DEFA’s most successful youth film directors.”
Der Tagesspiegel

 

“Helmut Dziuba proves once again his gift for directing young lay actors.”
— Heinz Kersten, film journalist

 

“A well-informed representation and empathetic depiction of the milieu.”
TV Spielfilm

Availability

Buy the DVDStream
DVD Bonus Features:
  • Turn Subtitles On/Off
  • Biographies & Filmographies
  • Introductory Essay by Sebastian Heiduschke
  • Written Interview with Helmut Dzuiba
  • WENDE FLICKS Series Trailer
  • About The Wende Museum

Shibboleth login