‘The Spies Among Us’ Shows a Victim Talking to Ex-Stasi Officers, Taking You Inside a Surveillance State

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Instead of delving into George Orwell’s 1984, you seldom find an in-depth, non-fictional expose of a dictatorship’s state security and secret police apparatus. The Silverman duo, responsible for the 2018 documentary TransMilitary, are now releasing The Spies Among Us. This new documentary, premiering at the 2025 South by Southwest event on Saturday, offers a unique glimpse into East Germany’s Stasi, one of the world’s most notorious secret police forces and their data-driven surveillance state.

The movie chronicles the personal probe carried out by Peter Keup, an ex-Stasi victim who later became a historian, into his family’s hidden past. His pursuit of truth takes an unexpected twist when he communicates with and encounters the men who managed the system that dismantled his family in the old German Democratic Republic, including Heinz Engelhardt, the last surviving former leader of the Stasi. As noted on the SXSW website, these dialogues are unprecedented between a Stasi officer and a victim. Through these interactions, a chilling picture emerges of how far people will go to preserve power in a dictatorship, as well as the unyielding human spirit that yearns for truth and self-governance.

The movie created by SideXSide Studios was both produced and directed by the Silvermans, with Gabriel Silverman taking charge of the cinematography for their second documentary film. Gernot Grassl, known for his work in “How to Build a Truth Engine”, served as the editor for this documentary.

Back in 2013, I was fortunate enough to be part of a cultural exchange that brought me and other journalists from the U.S. to Germany. It was during this trip, while conversing with the chief of staff for a former West Berlin mayor, that I stumbled upon an intriguing concept. She mentioned a file about herself that she hadn’t opened yet, questioning if she would seize the opportunity to upend her life if given the chance. This thought-provoking query sparked the idea for our upcoming film, which we are proud to debut at SXSW from March 7-15, although its roots trace back much further. As journalists turned filmmakers, this project has been a deeply personal journey for us.

Delving deeper into this subject matter, I found myself utterly captivated by the notion that the Stasi were investing billions of dollars and vast human resources to gather the same kind of data we casually hand over for convenience today, often without fully appreciating the potential long-term consequences. This idea resonated with me for quite some time, and in 2019, I finally decided to turn it into a reality by launching our project earnestly.

The two movie creators wound up exploring museums and educational sites detailing Stasi history, including the Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial. “We discovered the strategies employed by the Stasi, which were devised by the Russians and refined by the Germans,” Jamie Coughlin Silverman reminisced. “I was taken aback: ‘Wow, I can’t believe I didn’t know anything about this.’ I can’t believe that as an American, I lacked understanding of what truly unfolded behind the Iron Curtain, the impact on people’s daily lives, and how these events continue to shape history, international relations, and global policies.” This knowledge has reverberated through German and Eastern European societies and continues to influence current affairs worldwide.

Her partner elaborates: “In American culture, people often remember Ronald Reagan telling Mikhail Gorbachev to dismantle the Berlin Wall, followed by David Hasselhoff performing there. However, more comprehensive historical details about this event are usually not covered in American educational programs.

Essentially, the document isn’t primarily concerned with recounting historical events, but rather with “illustrating a contemporary narrative about a man delving into his past and its relevance to us today,” she clarifies to THR. “Exploring issues such as surveillance, data collection, and the power that comes with it in today’s world was a captivating subject for us, given our current circumstances. Technology is relatively unregulated in America, but is experiencing some regulation in Europe, and this dynamic becomes clearer when viewed through a historical lens.

As a dedicated enthusiast, I took the leap to learn German myself to facilitate more authentic interactions with individuals regarding the doc. “In our efforts to connect with Stasi officers,” Gabriel Silverman shares with THR, “we encountered a certain skepticism from the Stasi officials towards the German media.” Engelhardt, for one, was eager to engage directly with us. In the initial stages, we had interpreters, but it quickly became apparent that we needed to eliminate any barriers to create a smaller, more agile crew. This way, there would be a deeper level of trust, and scenes such as Engelhart guiding us through Chemnitz or in the basement of a museum were filmed without interpreters. This was intentional on Jamie’s part to minimize any barriers between her and them. Furthermore, as an outsider and newcomer, she wanted them to explain things in simple terms and avoid rehashing the same arguments that had been going on for the past 35 years.

In order to shoot a single scene depicting Engelhardt’s return to the Stasi headquarters and his office, the filmmakers required specific permission because ex-Stasi high-ranking officials typically do not have access to that location.

The movie explores how closely its events reflect contemporary issues, as Gabriel Silverman explains. However, when speaking with ex-Stasi officers, they often attempted to divert blame by asking “But what about today?” This tactic is subtly incorporated into the film to provide historical context. Yet, the primary focus lies in allowing viewers to watch without feeling judged, but recognizing the destructive consequences that arise when neighbors betray each other and truths become distorted. This underlying parallel to modern times runs throughout the entire movie.

One reason the filmmakers are eager to debut “The Spies Among Us” at SXSW is because they see it as an ideal platform to discuss the importance of incorporating moral principles when constructing surveillance systems, given that technology is so prevalent. They contend that we must carefully consider these issues since history has shown us that surveillance states can evolve and impact society for years, even generations, to come. We cannot predict exactly how things will unfold because we don’t know the outcome, but we do know that the consequences of unchecked surveillance can be far-reaching.

The psychological strategies employed by the Stasi continue to persist, as Jamie Coughlin Silverman explains. “The methods they utilized then are still being applied today, and it’s not only happening in Russia,” she adds. “These tactics are being used globally to influence thoughts, behaviors, and trust levels among individuals. We witnessed this same approach in Syria. It’s crucial to comprehend how individuals like these operate, and presenting this playbook in the film is one aspect that makes our narrative a timely, contemporary story.

Discovering Peter as the central character who delved into his past and interacted with ex-Stasi members was crucial for the documentary. Not only is he proficient in English, but he also possesses the appropriate sensitivity when dealing with a delicate subject matter. “I instinctively felt he would be the perfect candidate,” she reminisced. “He has a captivating, articulate manner of speaking. He’s witty, he’s expressive, and he’s simply the most engaging individual we have grown close to over time.

Gabriel Silverman emphasizes: “One aspect I commend for everyone involved, be it Peter or the Stasi officers, is their poise during discussions. While these conversations weren’t always straightforward or left everyone feeling content, at least there was an effort to bridge the gap – something vital in any democratic society. They were attempting to foster understanding, which is crucial.

In the process of creating the documentary, the filmmaking team gained valuable insights. Gabriel Silverman expresses one such lesson: “I was reminded once more of the importance of trusting your subjects.” Peter wasn’t an active dissident; instead, he was an ordinary man who unwittingly found himself ensnared in the system. His family too was subjected to surveillance. Essentially, Peter represents every man from that era who still bears the weight of those times and hasn’t had the opportunity to openly discuss it.

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2025-03-06 18:25