Das Leben der Anderen / The Lives of Others

Directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck (2006)
German; English subtitles. 137 min.

Set in East Berlin in 1984, The Lives of Others is a gripping political thriller and poignant human drama that explores surveillance, loyalty, and the cost of conscience under a repressive regime. When a Stasi officer is assigned to monitor a playwright and his actress lover, his exposure to their private world begins to challenge his belief in the system he serves. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, the film offers a powerful reflection on integrity, art, and redemption in the shadow of totalitarianism.