The Second Awakening of Christa Klages (1978) DVD-R

Starring: Tina Engel, Silvia Reize, Katharina Thalbach, Marius Müller-Westernhagen, Peter Schneider
Directed by: Margarethe von Trotta
Print: Color
Runtime: 92 minutes
Genre: Drama
Language: German (English subtitles)

*The Second Awakening of Christa Klages* (*Das zweite Erwachen der Christa Klages*) is a 1978 West German drama film directed by Margarethe von Trotta. The film follows Christa Klages (Tina Engel), a young mother and daycare worker who, facing financial difficulties, participates in a bank robbery to secure funds for her daughter's daycare center. The heist goes awry, resulting in the death of her accomplice Werner (Marius Müller-Westernhagen) and forcing Christa to flee. She seeks refuge with her friend Ingrid (Silvia Reize) in Portugal, where both women confront the consequences of their actions. The film explores themes of political radicalization, solidarity, and the complexities of moral choices. It was von Trotta's first solo feature and received critical acclaim, winning several awards including the Filmband in Gold for Best Actress at the German Film Awards.