Five people representing the more than 72,000 formerly imprisoned East German state refugees reveal the torture, cruelty, and the violations of human dignity that they endured in their daily lives.

They are extraordinarily open about their struggle with the interrogation methods and the appalling conditions of imprisonment.

In this sensitive documentary, which focuses closely on the eyewitnesses, the open wounds and psychological injuries that made it impossible to lead a normal, fear-free life are brought to light.

"Cologne-based director Stefan Weinert picks up where the Oscar-winning feature film "The Lives of Others" leaves off. He doesn't need elaborate sets, just courage to let his protagonists have their say." (Die Zeit)