Deutsches Haus at NYU and the DEFA Film Library at UMASS Amherst present a screening and discussion of Miss Butterfly (Fräulein Schmetterling) to commemorate the 30^thanniversary of the DEFA Film Library. Opening remarks will be provided by Savannah Champion, Social Media Assistant at the DEFA Film Library Amherst, who will also moderate the audience Q&A following the screening of the film. This screening is a companion event to the Goethe-Institut Boston's 'Happy Birthday! The DEFA Film Library Turns 30' series.

About the film: When their father dies, 17-year-old Helene Raupe and her little sister become orphans. Abandoned by their aunt, they must face the challenges of daily life in East Berlin. Helene is only happy in her dreams, where she can fly or be a stewardess or model. In real life, in contrast, she fails to meet people’s expectations and loses several jobs.

Combining fantasy scenes and documentary elements filmed with a hidden camera on the streets, Miss Butterfly was slated to be the first official experimental feature film made in the GDR. While still in production in 1965/1966, however, it was banned for its supposedly negative portrayal of everyday reality and its representation of bourgeois philosophies. In 2020, this unique film was finally reconstructed based on the original script, using preserved film and audio materials. The scenario was written by Christa Wolf and Gerhard Wolf.

DEFA Film Library 30th Anniversary Screening: “Miss Butterfly (Fräulein Schmetterling)” is funded by the DAAD from funds of the German Federal Foreign Office (AA).

Date and Time: Monday, September 18^th 2023, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Location: Deutsches Haus at NYU, 42 Washington Mews, New York, NY 10003

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