The Weissensee Saga

The Weissensee Saga

WEISSENSEE is a sweeping and gripping family saga of conflicting loyalties, love, hope, faith and betrayal set behind the Berlin Wall in the former East Germany and in the changing times of the fall of the Iron Curtain. It 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.

"WEISSENSEE II is a breathtaking work of art. Even more intense, even more authentic, even more emotional than the intense, authentic, emotional original... It doesn't take much imagination to prophesy the audience will love WEISSENSEE II as well." (Der Tagesspiegel)

Following the smash hit first season, which garnered awards including the German TV Award 2011 for Best Series, six more episodes of this critically and audience acclaimed hit thrilled spectators and critics alike in 2013 (German Screen Actors Award 2014). Season 3 reached an average of 9 million viewers and a share of 16% overall.

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)