Weißer Rauch über Schwarze Pumpe

In East Germany, the Schwarze Pumpe combine in southeastern Brandenburg was the largest gas producer, employing up to 16,000 people. After reunification, however, the plant was shut down. The documentary combines archival footage from the early 1990s with contemporary observations and interviews, revealing the profound impact of these upheavals on lives and regional structures. Through loosely connected snapshots, a restrained, precise, and non-judgmental portrait emerges, exploring themes of identity loss, adaptation, and continued life in a region where the past remains unresolved. (Filmdienst)