Hunger for Life (Feature Film)

Campus Cinema 2026

The small town of Burg in the 1950s: Writer Brigitte Reimann (Martina Gedeck) struggles to lead a self-determined life amid social constraints, political pressure, and personal crises. She finds solace in writing and in relationships with men who understand her—and challenge her at the same time. As her literary success grows, she comes under the scrutiny of the Stasi, which attempts to control the course of her life. A serious illness cuts her life short far too soon. Her most important work remains unfinished. A sensitive, melancholic character study of an uncompromising artist, transcending common East-West clichés. Martina Gedeck received the German Television Award for Best Actress for her performance.

Feature film, 2004, Director: Markus Imboden, 95 min.

Pre-screening discussion: Prof. Dr. Daniela Münkel (Federal Archives – Stasi Records Archive)

Post-screening discussion: Markus Imboden (director) and Martina Gedeck (actress)

Moderator: Marie Kaiser (radioeins)

Pre-show

5:30 p.m.: “The Role of the Stasi in Censorship.” Guided tour of the Stasi Records Archive, 75 min.

5:45 p.m.: “Where Is My File?” Guided tour of the Stasi Records Archive, 60 min.

Registration for the guided tours is required at:

Your participation in a guided tour is not confirmed until you receive our confirmation.

The Campus Cinema is organized by the Federal Archives—Stasi Records Archive, the Berlin Commissioner for Coming to Terms with the Past, and the Robert Havemann Society e. V. Media partners are radioeins and Der Tagesspiegel. The Campus Cinema takes place in cooperation with the Stasi Museum, UOKG e. V., and the Citizens’ Committee January 15 e. V.

An event as part of the Campus Cinema series

This event is part of the“Campus Cinema” series.Translated with DeepL

Next date:

• Date Monday, 24/August/2026 19:30
• Venue Stasimuseum - Forschungs- und Gedenkstätte Normannenstraße
• Address Ruschestraße 103, 10365 Berlin-Lichtenberg