Wir machen weiter. Die Schützes, Einleben in Deutschand, 1979-1989

Shortly after the fall of the Berlin wall, the filmmaker and his cameraman travelled around a GDR that was on its last legs. On meeting the Schütze family, they realised that this family’s story could well convey the changes brought about in the economy and people’s way of thinking by reunification. With the collapse of socialism, Jürgen and Karin, bitten by the business bug and dazzled by the promise of capitalism, lost no time in setting up a greengrocers, then a supermarket… They dabble in real estate and begin to reap the benefits of their financial success… Then comes the downturn, as unemployment hits their small town Zchopau and jealousy, suspicion and debts catch up with them. Yet these inveterate optimists never give up. Constant misfortune, but through all these ups and downs, they continue…