ON PROBATION (BURGESCHAFT FUR EIN JAHR)
East Germany, 1981, 93 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Hermann Zschoche.
On Probation is an East German social documentary-drama. It focuses on Nina, a deserted mother of three, unable to manage her life and her children, even though she wants them. The film focuses on administration and the decisions of Nina, a woman trying to improve her situation for her children and her failure. The film is set in Berlin, observes the East German way of life - and shows how social and human problems are the same the world over.The film is well-acted and leaves the audience asking themselves questions about the issues and the characters.
1. Interesting social drama? Its quality of observation and insight? Compassion?
2. East German film-making, production values?
3. The picture of East German society? Life in Berlin? The comparisons between East and West? Particular lifestyle? Affluence? The modernisation of East Germany? Social problems as universal?
4. The focus on Nina: the resume of her life read in her presence, her acknowledgement that it was true? Her inability to manage and yet her wanting her children? How much did she want them? Why? Her home situation and trying to improve it? Her good intentions and inability to fulfil them?
5. The sketch of her children - relationship with her mother, with their, father, being in institutions? Rene and his love for his mother? Jacqueline and her antagonism, withdrawing? Mireille as being young, her problems? Outings? Her walk with Frau Behrend and her tantrums? The outing with Nina and Heiner? Heiner's approach to Jacqueline and her wanting affirmation and communication? The final sequence with Nina and the children - her intending to put Jacqueline up for adoption? The support that Nina got from her neighbour, Frau Braun?
6. Nina at work, her discussions with her work companion, especially about the abortion and her consoling her at the end? her house, changing it around, painting etc.? Her budgeting and the help from Frau Behrend? Her love for Werner and the Board's approval of his companionship? The party at home and the attraction to Heiner? The outing? Her hopes in him? The clash with Werner and her losing him? The clashes with her husband and his refusal of support, taking her money? Her ignorance, capacity for learning, growth in management, failures? Her self-centredness and yet her love for her children? Outings and dancing? Taking the money for shopping? Her drunken sequence?
7. The picture of the Board: their attitudes, correct interpretation of the situation, need for compassion? The pros and cons of Nina's situation and the pressures for a decision? For the good of the children? Nina?
8. Nina's supervisor - work on the railways, helping her move the furniture. his final exasperation with her?
9. Frau Behrend and her place on the Board, her work and teaching music (and the sequences with the boy and his decision between music and football), her loneliness, her interest in Nina and helping her with the budgeting, taking Mireille out, exasperation. growing fonder of Nina, sharing her sorrows, letting her alone - the end?
10. The picture of the men and their relationship to Nina: Werner and his devotion. Heiner and his attraction and his fearfulness and not loving her. the neighbour and his sexual advances, her husband and his irresponsibility?
11. The film as a portrait of Nina - age, experience, as woman, mother, wife, needing people, loving, failing, coping, having to make final decisions about her children?
12. The film's themes of social comment and insight into human nature?
