Das zweite Erwachen der Christa Klages (1978)

Three people rob a bank to help a day care center that's in debt. Wolf is captured, Werner identified, police suspect Christa is the third. She and Werner ask Hans, a clergyman, to launder ... See full summary »

Director:

Margarethe von Trotta

Writers:

Margarethe von Trotta, Luisa Francia

Stars:

Tina Engel, Silvia Reize, Katharina Thalbach

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tina Engel	...	Christa Klages
Silvia Reize	...	Ingrid Häkele (as Sylvia Reize)
Katharina Thalbach	...	Lena Seidlhofer
Marius Müller-Westernhagen	...	Werner Wiedemann
Peter Schneider	...	Hans Grawe
Ulrich von Dobschütz	...	Heinz, Ingrids Ehemann (as Ulrich v. Dobschütz)
Erika Wackernagel	...	Mutter von Hans
Friedrich Kaiser	...	Wolfgang
Achim Krausz	...	Bankdirector
Fritz Ley	...	Alter Mann aus Riga
Gertrud Thomele	...	Mutter von Christa
Rosa Sämmer	...	Hausmeisterin
Margit Czenki	...	Reingard, Kindergärtnerin (as Margit Czenky)
Peter Koj	...	Erich, Bruder von Hans
Hildegard Linden	...	Frau im Zug

Storyline

Three people rob a bank to help a day care center that's in debt. Wolf is captured, Werner identified, police suspect Christa is the third. She and Werner ask Hans, a clergyman, to launder the money and give it to the kindergarten. He refuses. They try Ingrid, Christa's friend, who tries to help, but the school rejects the money. When tragedy strikes Werner, Hans helps Christa bolt to a collective in Portugal. Ingrid visits her; their relationship makes the collective nervous, so she returns to Germany and ceases living in hiding. The police are still looking for her and so is a witness to the robbery, Lena, a bank clerk. Lena's interest brings Christa's second awakening.

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Plot Keywords:

police | disguise | hostage | stockholm syndrome | sunglasses | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Details

Country:

West Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

14 April 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Second Awakening of Christina Klages

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bioskop Film, Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Die Neugier immer weiter treiben (1995)

User Reviews

The Second Awakening of Christa Kalges

The Second Awakening of Christa Kalges is a great little film about the practical and moral implications of a righteous rebellion. The film is set against the aftermath of a bank robbery perpetrated by three well-meaning people trying to fund a kindergarten--a compelling premise well-executed. The female leads all do solid work, and the writing is subtle and intelligent, slowly revealing the ethical and emotional triggers behind the robbery. Our characters face difficulty not only in avoiding arrest but in routing the money to its proper place; a realistic view of the difficulty inherent in upsetting our systems, no matter how noble one's intentions. Ultimately though, the film is truthful not only in its realist pessimism but in the potential it illustrates for optimism as well: informed, compassionate individuals can unravel the punishing forces above us so long as we recognize our agency and choose not to participate. For its writing, its characters, and above all its ideas, The Second Awakening of Christa Kalges comes recommended highly. -TK 10/18/10