The Prodigal Daughter (2/6)

The Prodigal Daughter (2/6)

Robert Schnyder is taken into custody for aiding and abetting illegal emigration from the German Democratic Republic. Falk questions him. He intends to use every means possible to squeeze a confession from Robert that will implicate Julia. But Robert denies the young woman wanted to flee with him. Julia is also arrested, on her front doorstep as she arrives home later. Falk puts pressure on Julia during her questioning. When Hans intervenes and lets the young women go, Falk is furious - and to compensate ramps up the interrogation of Robert Schnyder. Hans, fearing that his son Martin is endangering the family's standing, forbids him all contact with Julia, whatever the circumstances. But despite the immense pressure from both families, the love between Julia and Martin grows ever deeper. Dunja Hausmann has to present the gentlemen at the Ministry for Culture with the programme for her next tour, and receives permission to appear in public. But when she sings forbidden songs in Erfurt, she is arrested and only after hours of questioning is she sent home. Tired and dejected, she arrives in her flat and encounters her daughter, who is there with Martin. She abruptly shows the young man the door. Julia leaves with him. The young couple are desperate: where should they stay? Robert Schnyder in the meantime has given up resisting after hours of questioning and wishes to make a statement. Flushed with victory, Falk makes his way, together with Hans, to the cell - and finds the American unconscious on the floor.

Taking its name from the locality in the then divided city that houses the notorious Stasi secret police-run Hohenschönhausen prison, the series tells of young police officer Martin, from a loyal Party family, who falls in love with the beautiful young and rebellious Julia, from a family of dissidents: a Romeo & Juliet saga of two lovers struggling against prejudices and the social and political odds.

Grimme Award 2016
German Screen Actors Award 2014
German TV Award 2011 for Best Series
Nominated for Prix Europa 2011  
The first 6 episodes to be screened at Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) New York in April 2011.

PRESS REVIEWS

• Family saga Weissensee recounts what life in East Germany was like, in a DALLAS style. (Der Spiegel, Sept. 13, 2010)
  
• Weissensee (...) is simply a well-made drama, which profits from a tight story arc, a superb cast and terrific set design. (Süddeutsche Zeitung, Sept. 14, 2010)
  
• Behind the surface story of two families in 1980s Socialist East Germany - replete with romance, intrigue and betrayal - a piece of real life emerges: authentic, dramatic. (Welt Online, Sept. 14, 2010)
  
• A courageous effort - which pays off handsomely. Beneath the soap opera plot, a complex web of desires and wishes emerges, of self-deception and patronizing. (Spiegel Online, Sept. 14, 2010)
  
• A highly original TV series. (Leipziger Volkszeitung, Sept. 6, 2010)
  
• Germany's biggest newspaper BILD headlined "The most spectacular TV series of the year." (Sept. 11, 2010)