IDFA 1999
Feierabend
Karl Gass
Germany
1964
13 min
In FEIERABEND (like he did in ASSE from 1966), Karl Gass, also called the father of the GDR’s new documentary film, portrays workers in a petroleum processing plant in Schwedt. The latest film technology had made it possible to film people in close-up without disturbing their daily activities. Gass only observed things and never manipulated the events. Patience and alertness resulted in a serene film, showing how the men spend their leisure time in the evening: in the canteen, cooking food on a stove, reading or playing cards, spending time with others or retiring. Apparently, the director enjoyed the workers’ confidence. In a relaxed way, they go their own way, which makes the film look highly natural.