Stern ohne Himmel

Spring 1945, the "Greater German Reich" is crumbling in the face of imminent military defeat. In Brandenburg, not far from Berlin, four 15-year-old teenagers have discovered a food depot that has been buried by war debris. They discover a cellar full of hams, sausages, preserves and tinned food. Paradise seems to have broken out for the four of them, even before the general horror comes to an end. But Antek, one of the four boys, soon discovers a little boy who has escaped from a concentration camp and has found a hiding place right here, in the cellar, on this island of plenty, in order to survive the Nazi madness after all. His name is Abiram and he is now dependent for better or worse on the goodwill of Willi, Antek, Zick and Paule, who are almost the same age.

Directed by Ottokar Runze, Stern ohne Himmel leans on a strong ensemble — Richard Beek, Randolf Kronberg, Gisela Dreyer — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1980.