Destinies of Women (1952)
A DEFA drama set in postwar divided Berlin, tracing four women whose lives converge around one charming, destructive man.
Destinies of Women - Movie Information
- Original Title: Frauenschicksale
- Release Year: 1952
- Directed by: Slatan Dudow
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 42m
- Original Language: German
- Spoken Languages: German
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 12, 1952 (Germany)
- Production Companies: DEFA
- Production Countries: East Germany
Destinies of Women - Plot
Berlin 1952, seven years after WWII. Four women are looking for a good man and happiness in the divided city. Their destinies are loosely connected through one person: the West Berlin dandy and womanizer, Conny.
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Destinies of Women - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Slatan Dudow
Main Cast
- Sonja Sutter
- Hanns Groth
- Lotte Loebinger
- Anneliese Book
- Susanne Düllmann
- Ursula Burg
- Gertrud Meyen
- Maly Delschaft
- Angela Brunner
- Charlotte Küter
Writers
- Slatan Dudow
- Ursula Rumin
- Gerhard Bengsch
Destinies of Women - FAQs
What is Destinies of Women about?
Destinies of Women is set in Berlin in 1952, seven years after World War II. It follows four women navigating love and happiness in a divided city. Their stories are loosely connected through Conny, a charming but unreliable West Berlin womanizer whose influence ripples through each of their lives.
Where can you stream Destinies of Women?
You can watch Destinies of Women for free on Kanopy. Kanopy is available through many public libraries and universities, so if you have a library card or student account, you may already have access at no cost.
Who directed Destinies of Women?
Slatan Dudow directed Destinies of Women. A Bulgarian-born filmmaker who worked in East Germany, Dudow was a committed socialist director known for socially engaged cinema. He also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Ursula Rumin and Gerhard Bengsch.
What role does the divided Berlin play in the film?
The division of Berlin is central to the film's drama. The contrast between East and West Berlin shapes the characters' choices and values. Conny, the film's antagonist, operates out of West Berlin, and his influence on the four women reflects the ideological tensions of the era.
Who are the main actors in Destinies of Women?
The cast features Sonja Sutter, Hanns Groth, Lotte Loebinger, Anneliese Book, Susanne Düllmann, Ursula Burg, and Gertrud Meyen, among others. Groth plays Conny, the womanizer whose path crosses with each of the four women at the heart of the story.
Is Destinies of Women a propaganda film?
Produced by DEFA, the state-owned East German studio, the film does carry a clear ideological perspective, contrasting the moral corruption of the West with socialist values in the East. However, it also offers genuine dramatic portrayals of women's struggles, making it more than simple propaganda.
What is the significance of the DEFA studio connection?
DEFA was the state film studio of East Germany and produced some of the most distinctive European cinema of the postwar era. Destinies of Women is part of that legacy, offering a rare window into how East German filmmakers addressed gender, society, and politics in the early 1950s.
What are some similar films to Destinies of Women?
If you enjoy Destinies of Women, you might also like Sabrina (1954), Match Point (2005), and Come Early Morning (2006), all of which explore romantic entanglements and personal choices with dramatic depth. Almost Love (2019) and Side Effects (2005) are also worth exploring for thematic overlap.
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