Hälfte des Lebens

DDR 1984/1985 Spielfilm

The film tells the story of the failed relationship between the poet Friedrich Hölderlin and Susette Gontard over a period of ten years from 1796 to 1806. Hölderlin works as a private tutor for the Frankfurt-based banker Gontard and falls in love with the mother of the children that he is teaching. Susette virtually becomes the Diotima of his novel "Hyperion". Hölderlin gets expelled from the Gontard′s home when the lovers can no longer hide their relationship. Susette becomes ill and dies in 1802 at the age of 33. Hölderlin himself gets severely depressive when he learns of Susette′s death and is admitted to a psychiatric hospital in 1806. The story develops before the background of a revolutionary movement that has spread from France to Germany but is soon put to an end.

 

Credits

Director

Screenplay

Director of photography

Editing

Music

Cast

Production company

Alle Credits

Director

Assistant director

Screenplay

Scenario

Script editor

Director of photography

Assistant camera

Production design

Set construction

Prop master

Make-up artist

Costume design

Editing

Sound

Music recording

Audio mixing

Music

Music performer

Cast

Production company

Unit production manager

Location manager

Original distributor

Duration:
2971 m, 98 min
Format:
35mm
Video/Audio:
Orwocolor, Ton
Screening:

Uraufführung (DD): 18.04.1985, Berlin, International

Titles

Additional titles
  • Originaltitel (DD) Hälfte des Lebens

Versions

Original

Duration:
2971 m, 98 min
Format:
35mm
Video/Audio:
Orwocolor, Ton
Screening:

Uraufführung (DD): 18.04.1985, Berlin, International

Awards

Nationales Spielfilmfestival der DDR 1986
  • Großer Steiger