Watch Traces of Stones

Traces of Stones is a thought-provoking 1966 East German drama directed by Frank Beyer that examines the complexity of social and political relations amidst the socialist revolution. Set in the post-revolutionary period of East Germany when the society is trying to rebuild itself, the movie captures the growing disillusionment of people and the failure of the state apparatus to respond to their aspirations.

The movie is centered on the character of Hannes Balla (Manfred Krug), a construction worker and party member who represents the new generation of socialist intellectuals. Hannes is arrogant, ambitious, and passionate about communism, which he sees as a cure-all for society's ills. While he is respected by his peers for his uncompromising dedication to the cause, Hannes is also feared for his short temper and tendency to pick fights, which has earned him the reputation of a troublemaker.

Things take a turn for the worse when Hannes is accused of sexual assault by a young female party member, Kati (Krystyna Stypulkowska), whom he had a brief affair with. Hannes is enraged at the accusation and is convinced that the accusation is politically motivated, given his growing influence within the party. He rejects the accusation outright and tries to fight back by leveraging his political influence, which only further deepens the mistrust and suspicion of those around him.

As Hannes struggles to clear his name, he discovers a deeper conspiracy at play, one that implicates some of his closest comrades. He finds himself torn between his principles and his loyalty to the party, his quest for truth and his blindness to power's corruption. In the end, due to the inflexibility of his principles and his inability to compromise, Hannes becomes a victim of a larger political game, the traces of which are likely to linger for generations.

The intricate plot of the movie is supported by excellent performances from the cast, particularly from Manfred Krug, who brilliantly portrays the complexity of Hannes's character. Krug's performance is both passionate and nuanced, capturing the internal conflicts and contradictions of his character with great sensitivity.

Krystyna Stypulkowska's performance as Kati, the victim of sexual assault, is powerful and moving. Her portrayal of Kati as a strong-willed and intelligent woman who suffers due to the male-dominated society around her is both realistic and heartbreaking.

Jutta Hoffmann, who plays Hannes's sister, also delivers a compelling performance. Her character's struggle to balance her loyalty to her brother with her growing doubts about the party's ideology creates a poignant contrast to Hannes's inflexibility. The other supporting characters also provide excellent performances, creating a rich tapestry of complex, multifaceted characters that remain with the viewer long after the movie is over.

The movie's cinematography is another highlight, with the wide-angle shots of the cityscape and industrial landscape contrasting with the close-up shots of the character's faces. The use of monochromatic black and white photography also reinforces the bleakness and despair of the characters, adding an extra layer of depth to the storytelling.

Overall, Traces of Stones is an important movie that captures the zeitgeist of post-revolutionary socialist politics in East Germany. The movie's themes of power, corruption, and ideology remain as relevant today as they were in the 1960s, making it a timeless classic that deserves to be watched by anyone interested in exploring the complexity of human relations and the impact of political revolutions.