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Sylvester 1961

Maker: Hoffman Family

Date Made: 1961
Country: German Democratic Republic

Materials: 8mm; silent; color
Duration: 08:28

Collection/Series: Hoffman Home Movie Collection
Accession Number: 2009.032.016

Home movie of an East German family New Year’s Eve celebration. Mother lays out streamers on table set with wine glasses and decorated with a Weihnachtspyramide (Christmas pyramid, a traditional candlelit decoration); close-up of wall clock shows the time 6:47. Smiling elderly woman, probably grandmother, enters, carrying pocketbook and a small Glücksschwein (“lucky pig,” a traditional good luck trinket in Germany), followed by mother now dressed more formally; grandmother shakes hands with daughter. Close-up of wall clock shows 7:57. Guests enter, shake hands with grandmother and daughter. Close-up of wall clock shows 8:14. More guests enter; handshakes; children bow to and kiss elderly guests. Mother sets potted flower on table. Daughter enters through door followed by mother wearing a fez, both carrying trays of food, which they set down on the table. Two young boys in animal masks and funny hats pose in front of lit Christmas tree. All guests, seated, wear funny hats. Father wipes nose with handkerchief, put on fez. Guests toast and drink from wine glasses. Woman in sailor hat eats bread and smiles for camera. Close-up of wall clock shows 11:50. Daughter re-arranges food on table. Mother sits beside and gestures to television set. Close-up of wall clock shows 11:55; two jump cuts show 11:57 followed by midnight (12:01). Mother plays with yo-yo; grandmother stirs coffee in cup; other guests drink as well. Close-up of wall clock shows 1:16. Man playfully places two hats on woman’s head. Mother pours coffee and cream or milk. Close-up of clock shows 1:30.


		

			
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