I Was Nineteen

A young Soviet officer who returns to his homeland after years in Moscow and is tasked with establishing Communist authority in Bernau. Hecker organizes staff housing and works to impose order, all while grappling with a sense of estrangement and the memory of Nazi crimes. His leadership blends discipline with moral reflection as he navigates loyalty, identity, and the human cost of occupation.

A Soviet general who oversees the occupation and engages with Hecker to manage reconciliation. He travels with the team to negotiate at Spandau and must balance military strategy with a humane approach to former enemies. He is capable and principled, but cannot save everyone from the consequences of war.

The fortress commander who embodies a German officer’s code of honor. He presents the German perspective during negotiations and demonstrates a sense of duty to his troops, even in the face of collapse. His interactions with Soviet officers reveal the complex human face of defense and surrender.

Adjunct to Lewerenz, loyal to orders and the fortress’ line of defense. He participates in the tense discussions surrounding surrender and reflects the cautious mindset of German military leadership during the closing days of the war.

A German Etappenmajor who seeks to surrender properly to the Soviet forces. His attempt to contact his superiors is dismissed as a prank, underscoring the chaotic and contradictory nature of wartime communications.

An SS officer depicted as a symbol of lingering Nazi authority. His presence and actions highlight the threats that persist even as the war nears its end, illustrating the moral danger of unchecked power.

A Soviet General who guides the operation and coordinates with Hecker. He brings strategic oversight and a sense of command to the occupation, shaping how the Red Army manages the shift from war to occupation and reconstruction.

A Soviet girl representing the younger generation of those liberated, symbolizing hope for a future beyond the war. Her presence highlights the human dimension of occupation and the generational shift after the conflict.

A German girl who embodies survivors and the emotional aftermath of war. Through her interactions with occupying forces, the film explores themes of resilience, memory, and the possibility of rebuilding lives after destruction.

A local landscape architect who appears amid the occupation’s civilian life, illustrating the begins of rebuilding the urban and rural landscape around Bernau as communities start to recover.