Graphic Art Behind The Iron Curtain
East German Movie Posters, 1970 - 1989
Our latest exhibition features a selection of posters sourced in Germany, originally the property of the DDR’s main distributor, Progress Film.
08.11.24-24.12.24
Socio-Political Background
East German movie posters reflect the unique ideological climate of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), where art often served as a vehicle for state messaging. Governed by socialist principles, East Germany’s visual culture was heavily influenced by the Soviet Union and Communist ideals. This meant that art—especially in the public domain—was often created within ideological confines, prioritizing collectivist themes and depicting socialism as a force for peace, unity, and cultural progress. Posters for cinema releases were no exception, serving both to advertise films and to promote socialist values. However, as the fall of the Berlin Wall and 1989 approached, subversive new freedoms began to creep in to graphic design.
DEFA Studios
The Deutsche Film-Aktiengesellschaft (DEFA) studios, founded in 1946, was the GDR’s state-owned production house. DEFA produced a wide range of films, including documentaries, propaganda pieces, historical dramas, and children’s films. Known for its high-quality, DEFA balanced state demands with artistic expression, especially towards the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989, fostering directors and screenwriters who would go on to become influential voices in socialist cinema. DEFA’s control over film production often meant that posters for its films emphasized themes approved by the state, such as labour, patriotism, and anti-fascism. The main distributor in the DDR was Progress Film, from whom these posters derive.
East German Graphic Art - Schools and Styles
East German graphic design was shaped by prominent art schools in the DDR, including the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst in Leipzig, where artists developed a distinctive style that mixed expressionism with social realism. Graphic artists like Lothar Reher and Heinz Handschick combined bold colour schemes and stylized imagery with symbolic compositions in order to create evocative posters that conveyed ideological meaning while maintaining visual appeal. Elements of surrealism, modernism, op art, Bauhaus, constructivism and photomontage make for a heady brew and a school of poster design of the highest quality and interest.
Anti-Hollywood
In contrast to the Hollywood-centred posters of the West, East German movie posters deliberately distanced themselves from capitalist aesthetics. Designers employed minimalist, abstract, or symbolically charged imagery that emphasized the GDR's rejection of capitalist materialism and consumerism. The posters often avoided glamorized depictions of actors or overly commercial styles, aligning with the GDR’s anti-capitalist stance.
The Range of Films Shown in the DDR
The GDR showcased an eclectic range of films: DEFA’s own productions, Soviet bloc films, films from other Communist countries in Easters Europe, and even select Western films that aligned with socialist values. From historical epics and political dramas to comedies and animated films, East German movie posters offered visual snapshots of this diversity in film choice.
All posters sourced in Germany, originally the property of the DDR’s main distributor, Progress Film. From the collection of Stephen Hale, all posters are for sale.
08.11.24-24.12.24
at the modernist
58 Port Street, Manchester M1 2EQ
open 11am to 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday