The Raid (5/6)

When Hans arrives at the blazing cottage Martin stumbles out the door, clearly in shock. Hans tells him forcibly he cannot give up, he has to find out if his daughter Anna is still alive. To that end Martin sets off on a feverish search for answers. Martin discovers a certain Dr. Schmolke had issued the death certificate for Anna Hausmann.Hans, who has meanwhile been recalled to his old position at the Ministry for State Security, uses his regained position and locates Dr. Schmolke. He notices immediately the doctor has something to hide. Together with Martin he considers how he can discover Dr. Schmolke's contact man at the ministry.Gaucke continues on his mission to eliminate every "enemy of the state" without mercy. He demands Falk to finally put an end to the activities of the environmental library centred around pastor Robert. Falk passes the pressure on to Vera, tasking her with spying on the church group, which brings her into a heavy moral conflict.Falk uses Vera's information and a raid takes place to uncover where the regime critical environmental newspaper is being printed. During the search Falk surprises his wife and the pastor in a compromising situation.

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)