Leipzig, GDR, 1980s: The Hotel Astoria is a magical, almost sacred place. Business people, prostitutes, the elite of the Socialist Party, and from time to time ordinary people meet here. But lobster, salmon and caviar are not always on the menu – extravagance is also on ration. And the Stasi are always watching.

Memories of former staff and guests are brought to life in a mix of archive footage and animation. Constant ambiguities show that different historical experiences can co-exist, and that there are gray areas between propaganda and reality. Because truth is always a matter of opinion.

Dir. Alina Cyranek, Falk Schuster - 28min - 2020 - Germany

"The story of an exciting chapter in the city’s history is told with archive material, staff reports, and...distinctive animations" - Dok Leipzig

"We hear about the nuances and absurdities of life in the GDR, from turtle soup in a country known for scarcity to the hotel bar where prostitutes, tourists, and Stasi agents all hung out." - IDFA