1-World Festival of Foreign Films
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"The Destinies of Women"
1952
Directed by Slatan Dudow

Made at the peak of cultural and political dogmatism in the GDR, this drama follows a West German womanizer whose acts of passion result in desperate acts of unhappiness by the women he seduces. Despite some overt pro-Communist propaganda, the nuanced and complex characterizations of the women in the film troubled cultural watchdogs in East Germany, who were uncomfortable with any shades of gray in portraits of contemporary society. The film makes wonderful use of montage as its emotional drama is detailed. German with English subtitles. 105 minutes.