Educational Media Reviews Online

Beyond the Wall offers a unique, heartfelt interweaving of life in communist bloc of Eastern Europe, particularly in Germany, during communist rule and after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. While the general sentiment of the film is one of rejoicing of the fall of the oppressive communist regime pre-1989, there is significant treatment throughout of the deep cultural and even psychological impacts on the former-communist nations of Europe. The filmmakers tell an earnest story of transition from decades of communist control to democracy and capitalism.

The film is composed of accounts from former citizens of Eastern European countries, telling of hardships, systemic inefficiencies, and subjugation endured during communist rule. Many of these individuals recall childhoods of widespread distrust, seeded amongst the populace, by the police states. Simply put, the voluminous stories selected by the filmmakers are distressing when contemplating the daily lives of those who lived under communist rule. The interviewees and/or the filmmakers, however, make the case as to why these stories were emblematic of the macro issues and motives of the Eastern bloc. What is interesting about these depictions is that the Soviet Union is never singled out as the prime mover of these satellite governments. The tacit message is one of accountability for each government for its neglect and persecution..

A significant portion of the film deals with efforts to flee as the wall was being constructed in 1949, and thereafter. The audience witnesses the heroism, ingenuity, and profound desperation of those who escaped and aided escape. As before, the film makers assembled a compelling selection of stories and firsthand accounts of escape efforts.

Lastly, Beyond the Wall deals extensively with the “What now?” phenomenon experienced after reunification in Germany. There was no plan in place leading to 1989, and the two former nations of Germany were jammed together with widespread compatibility issues. The film does a remarkable job in dissecting the enduring problems of reunification, and the legacy of the communist mindset on government, economic, and personal life in Germany.

Although heart-wrenching, this work is a resounding success in its insightful examination of communist and post-communist Europe. While taking the audience on an emotional journey, the film exquisitely draws out key concepts and historical themes. Furthermore, the film is of a perfect length, with perfect pacing for the scope of the subject matter.