Wilhelm Pieck

Basing his work on documentary material, Andrew Thorndike tells the life story of Wilhelm Pieck: from young worker to fighter for the German working class, and from enemy of national-socialism to the first president of the German Democratic Republic.

Sportivnyy prazdnik molodyozhi (Youth Sports Festival) (1951) is an East German sports documentary co-directed by Andrew Thorndike and Dmitri Vasilyev. The film documents the athletic competitions held during the 3rd World Festival of Youth and Students in Berlin, showcasing a variety of sports and the spirited participation of young athletes. Notable figures such as Emil Zátopek and Levan Sanadze make appearances. Released in both the Soviet Union and East Germany, the documentary celebrates youth sportsmanship and the spirit of international unity during the post-war era.

Communism spread to all of the continents of the word, lasting through four generations and over seven decades. Hundreds of millions of men and women were affected by this political system, one of the most unjust and bloodiest in history. Using newly discovered propaganda films and archival photos, these four episodes explore the mysteries of this totalitarian political machine that lured its share of important followers into the fold. Known as the red church, communism seduced its ardent followers like some earthly religion.