The twelve-year old Susanne is a dreamer and feels misunderstood by her classmates. She pours out her heart to an old lock keeper, who understands her well. He gives her a ring, which has the ability to help its owner. Susanne believes greatly in its magic power. Some wishes actually come true but others fail.
Acting
Rolf Hoppe's warm, weathered lock keeper steals every scene.
Production
Gritty 70s East German locations make magic feel earned.
Director
Erwin Stranka
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
DEFA Studios produced this as state-sanctioned family fare, yet its quiet melancholy about unfulfilled dreams subtly subverted socialist optimism.
Rolf Hoppe later became famous playing authoritarian villains; his gentle performance here is almost shocking in retrospect.
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