Documentary Forgotten Faces: Otto Wallburg + Film: Throw through the bill

Documentary Forgotten Faces: Otto Wallburg, Germany 2026, R: Uwe Marcus Rykov and Ariane Rykov, 41 min, Q&A with the filmmakers

Followed by: Throw through the bill, Germany 1932, directed by Alfred Zeisler, with Heinz Rühmann, 99 min

Documentation Forgotten Faces: Otto Wallburg

Otto Wallburg is considered one of the most busy comedians in the Weimar Republic — a star who starred in over 80 films, celebrated alongside Heinz Rühmann in hits such as “Stroke durch die Rechnung”. When the National Socialists seized power in 1933, the UFA terminates its permanent contract. Despite a temporary special permit, his everyday life is coming under increasing pressure — until he is no longer able to work in Germany. The escape leads via Vienna and Amsterdam until he is deported to Auschwitz and murdered in 1944. The film is driven by a special approach: Otto Wallburg's grandson François Wasserzug talks about his grandfather for the first time in front of the camera, based on previously unpublished material from the private family archive. “Forgotten Faces: Otto Wallburg” traces how quickly a celebrated career could turn into persecution — a story that shows how little it took to make even the most famous people defenseless.

Created in Lusatia

The film was produced by FILM LAB Lausitz and funded by the Ministry of Science, Research and Culture of the State of Brandenburg. Children and young people from the region were involved in research, production support and post-production. Thematically, the film is based on the exhibition “Invisible Traces” at the Lausitz Film Museum, which is dedicated to Jewish filmmakers of the Weimar Republic and their fate under National Socialism.

Throw through the bill

Germany 1932 · Director: Alfred Zeisler · with Heinz Rühmann 99 minutes

Sometimes good luck comes down to two bikes. More specifically, on two spare bikes, because without them, the young cyclist Willy Streblow is not allowed to start the big race. He has the talent, not the money. Out of pride, he does not want to ask the father of his fiancée Hanni, who owns a bicycle shop of all things, for help. When two wheels suddenly disappear there, the suspicion immediately falls on Willy, and Hanni seriously thinks of separation.

Rescue is approaching in the form of Gottfried Paradies, manager of the reigning but aging Champion Banz. Paradies provides Willy with the bikes, but not without consideration: Willy should remain dutifully behind Banz in the race. But everything on the track is different than the men had calculated, at the latest when a South American competitor named Rodriguez passes them both...

Alfred Zeisler's fast-paced comedy based on a novel by Austrian writer Fred Angermayer features Heinz Rühmann in one of his early leading roles, with exactly the charm that made him a favorite of German cinema audiences. A film about ambition, pride, love and the question of how far you should go to reach an agreement.