Amateur filmmaker takes Berlin Wall documentary on tour

PR Log (Press Release) – Nov 03, 2009 – To mark the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Kendal-based amateur filmmaker Ian Hawkins sets off with his documentary 'My DDR T-Shirt' on a programme of screenings and
appearances.

The tour starts in Bristol on the 9th November, followed by Lancaster University on the 10th and culminates in a six-day tour of Irish universities (Limerick, Galway, Cork, Dublin and Maynooth) from Monday 16th November.

“A documentary on TV costs at least £75,000/€100,000. I made My DDR T-Shirt on a budget of around £1500/€2000and I've had a terrific response from viewers all over the world. I sell DVDs online but I'm especially proud to attend screenings and discuss the fall of the Berlin Wall with an audience. The forthcoming screenings and invitation to tour Ireland are set to be the high point of the whole My DDR T-Shirt project.” Ian Hawkins

Background
In 2005, Ian Hawkins went on a trip with his day job to Berlin. He bought a T-shirt with the old East German flag/symbol on it. Almost immediately, he decided to learn more about the former communist state before wearing the T-shirt.

Within weeks, Ian returned to Berlin with a cheap camcorder, home made lighting and sound equipment and turned his 'pang of conscience' into a low budget documentary film, My DDR T-Shirt. He interviewed people from both sides of the Berlin Wall, including an ex-Stasi agent and a former Stasi prisoner. It took three years to edit these voices and fascinating stories into a 53 minute documentary.

In its own small way, My DDR T-Shirt has been extraordinary success. The film has proved popular with German language/history departments in the UK, Ireland, Germany and the United States. It has also been been selected by Salford Film Festival, Glasgow International Documentary Festival and Keswick Film Festival.

November tour dates
09/11/09 – Bristol University – screening only
10/11/09 – Lancaster University – screening and Q&A with director
11/11/09 – University College Cork – screening only
16/11/09 – University of Limerick – screening and Q&A with director
16/11/09 – NUI Galway – screening and Q&A with director
17/11/09 – University College Cork – Q&A with director only
18/11/09 – Dublin City University – screening and Q&A with director
19/11/09 – University College Dublin – screening and Q&A with director
20/11/09 – NUI Maynooth – screening and Q&A with director