Two friends in Prussia

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Movie
Original title Two friends in Prussia
Country of production DDR , Germany
original language German
Publishing year 1981
length 95 minutes
Rod
Director Rolf Busch
script Heiner Michel
production Allianz Film Produktion GmbH
with the support of DEFA
on behalf of ZDF
camera Wolfgang Braumann
Frank Bredow
cut Ursula Möhrle
Violet Schlossarek
occupation

Two friends in Prussia , also friends in Prussia or: Whether a noble Jew is something improbable is a feature film on ZDF and East German television by Rolf Busch from 1981 .

action

In 1749 the twenty-year-old Gotthold Ephraim Lessing began rehearsing his new play Die Juden on Caroline Neuber's stage in Leipzig. It is a risky undertaking for the principal, who is only called the “Neuberin” by everyone, because the piece does not promise to be a success. In front of everyone it is doubted that a Jew will be accepted by the audience as a hero. Lessing's father also opposes the performance, because he would much rather see his son studying at the university . However, the young playwright wants to set an example with his comedy. At a time that for professing members of the Mosaic faith means only contempt and persecution. Jews are only allowed to exercise certain professions and are subject to special taxes, they enjoy neither freedom of movement nor access to academic education. However, it does not take place because the actors refuse on the grounds that a noble Jew is rather improbable.

In 1743, the Dessau- born Moses Mendelssohn came to Berlin and lived completely impoverished in the attic of the Bamberger family. He sees his main task in acquiring further secular knowledge and foreign languages in addition to his Talmudic studies . In 1750 King Friedrich II issued a " Revised General Privilege ", which regulates the residence of Jews in Berlin. This regulation is to be enforced by the Jewish self-government. All Jews who are out of work have to leave the city, including Mendelssohn. While he is on his way to the protective Jew and silk merchant Bernhard Isaak , despite being persecuted by an anti-Jewish pack, two bailiffs are already searching his roof dwelling and want to expel him from Berlin. Since he is warned by Ms. Bamberger to re-enter his accommodation in her house, as he is already expected there, he accepts Bernhard's offer to teach his four children as private tutors and to live in his house. Later he also takes over the bookkeeping in the newly founded silk factory.

In 1754, Aaron Samuel Gumperz , the English and French teacher and friend and mentor of Moses Mendelssohn, introduced him to the pastor's son Gotthold Ephraim Lessing. Both develop a deep friendship during many chess games and conversations. Already with his first writings Mendelssohn aroused the attention and opposition of the authorities. Therefore he has to submit to the interrogation at the General Tax Office, as a result of which he is supposed to leave the city. The charges against him are dropped, however, not out of justice, as his friend Friedrich Nicolai tells him, but only by accident.

When Mendelssohn wanted to apply for a marriage license, he was almost refused it because there were different opinions about his name. With the acquisition of several figures from the Royal Porcelain Manufactory , which is in the process of being created, these problems can be eliminated. In 1762, Moses Mendelssohn married the merchant's daughter Fromet Guggenheim .

production

The film was one of the rare joint productions of the television of the GDR and the German television. It was broadcast in both German states in early December 1981. The outdoor shots for this color film were shot in Görlitz and Bautzen .

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Friends in Prussia at Leipziginfo.de