Konrad Wolf facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Konrad Wolf
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|---|---|
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| Born | 20 October 1925 Hechingen, Germany
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| Died | 7 March 1982 (aged 56) East Berlin, Germany
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| Occupation | Film director |
| Years active | 1954–1982 |
| Spouse(s) |
Christel Bodenstein
(1960–1978) |
Konrad Wolf (born October 20, 1925 – died March 7, 1982) was a famous film director from East Germany. He was the son of a writer, doctor, and diplomat named Friedrich Wolf. His older brother, Markus Wolf, was a high-ranking official in East Germany's secret police. People sometimes called Konrad by his nickname, "Koni."
Contents
Konrad Wolf's Life Story
Growing Up and Moving to Moscow
Konrad Wolf's father was Jewish and a strong supporter of communism in Germany. Because of this, when the Nazis came to power in March 1933, Konrad and his family had to leave Germany. They traveled through Austria, Switzerland, and France before settling in Moscow, the capital of the Soviet Union. They arrived in Moscow in March 1934.
Living in Moscow, young Konrad got to know a lot about Soviet films. When he was just 10 years old, he even had a small part in a movie called Kämpfer. This film was made by German communists who had also moved to Moscow.
In 1936, Konrad's family became citizens of the Soviet Union. However, they later faced some difficulties. In 1937, his father went to Spain to work as a doctor during the Spanish Civil War. Konrad and his older brother went to the Karl Liebknecht School in Moscow.
Joining the Army
In December 1942, when Konrad was 17, he volunteered to join the Red Army, which was the Soviet Union's army. He was sent to the front lines as an interpreter, helping people communicate. He fought in battles in the Caucasus region.
Konrad was also present when the city of Warsaw was freed from Nazi control. He was among the first soldiers to reach Berlin in 1945, at the very end of World War II. After the war, he worked as a cultural officer in cities like Halle and Berlin. He also worked as a reporter for a newspaper called Berliner Zeitung. He stayed in the Soviet Army until 1948. Konrad later made a film about these experiences in 1968, called Ich war neunzehn (meaning I Was Nineteen).
Becoming a Film Director
Soon after the war, Konrad Wolf went back to Moscow. He studied at the VGIK, a famous film school. During this time, he often wondered if he should consider himself German or Russian, and where he should live.
Konrad became a very successful film director. His 1959 film Sterne (meaning Stars) won a special award at the 1959 Cannes Film Festival, which is a very important film event. In 1961, his movie Professor Mamlock won the top prize at the 2nd Moscow International Film Festival. Later, in 1971, his film Goya or the Hard Way to Enlightenment won another special award at the 7th Moscow International Film Festival.
Leading the Arts
Konrad Wolf worked as a film director at DEFA, which was a major film studio in East Germany. He was also very involved in the arts community. From 1959 to 1966, he was the honorary president of the Union of Art. Then, from 1965 until he passed away in 1982, he was the president of the DDR Academy of Arts, Berlin. This was a very important position in the East German art world.
In 1978, he was part of the jury at the 28th Berlin International Film Festival, helping to decide which films would win awards. In 1980, his film Solo Sunny was shown at the 30th Berlin International Film Festival.
Konrad Wolf was married to the actress Christel Bodenstein from 1960 to 1978.
Films by Konrad Wolf
- 1955: Once Is Never
- 1956: Genesung
- 1957: Lissy
- 1958/1972: Sun Seekers
- 1959: Stars
- 1960: Leute mit Flügeln
- 1961: Professor Mamlock
- 1964: Divided Heaven
- 1966: The Little Prince (TV film)
- 1968: I Was Nineteen
- 1971: Goya or the Hard Way to Enlightenment
- 1974: Der nackte Mann auf dem Sportplatz
- 1976: Mama, I'm Alive
- 1979: Solo Sunny (co-director: Wolfgang Kohlhaase)
- 1981/1982: Busch singt (a 6-part documentary about Ernst Busch, finished by others)
See Also
In Spanish: Konrad Wolf para niños
