Freundschaft! - Die freie deutsche Jugend (2008)

The institution of the Free German Youth (FDJ) shaped society in the German Democratic Republic in a particular way. Joining could have a positive effect on one’s life and planned career, while not being a member could have negative consequences. The documentary seeks to examine and portray the full scope of this institution without judgment. For anyone aspiring to a political career, joining the FDJ was more or less obligatory. Parades and flag ceremonies were as much a part of everyday FDJ life as group sporting and musical events and trips abroad. The filmmakers also explore the little-known history of the “West FDJ,” which was banned in 1951. The documentary traces the organization’s history from its founding in the 1930s to the time of German reunification in 1989. Former members share their own experiences and memories of their time in the FDJ as eyewitnesses. The film also incorporates footage from the DEFA archives. It explores the Cold War period as well as the history of the FDJ youth academy “Wilhelm Pieck.”