Cry Freedom 1988 East German A1 Film Poster, Birgitt Oßwald

Striking original East German film poster for acclaimed 80s political drama Cry Freedom, released in the DDR under the title Schrei nach Freiheit.

We love the powerful design by Birgitt Oßwald, the poster uses a stark black hand silhouette against a vivid yellow ground to create an image of protest, resistance and urgency. Its restrained graphic style is especially striking: rather than relying on portraits of the stars, the design turns the film’s political subject into a bold visual symbol.

Directed by Richard Attenborough, Cry Freedom is a biographical drama about South African anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko and journalist Donald Woods. Based on Woods’ books Biko and Asking for Trouble, the film stars Denzel Washington as Biko and Kevin Kline as Woods, with Penelope Wilton, John Thaw and Timothy West among the supporting cast. It explores Biko’s activism, his death in police custody, and Woods’ efforts to expose the truth to the outside world.

East German film posters are highly admired for their intelligent, often minimal and politically charged approach to cinema advertising. DDR designers frequently avoided straightforward star-led publicity, instead creating symbolic, graphic interpretations of a film’s themes. This poster is a superb example of that tradition, using a single raised hand to suggest both a cry for freedom and a demand to be seen.

This vintage film poster is sized 22 1/2 x 32 inches. It will be sent rolled (unframed).

• Year: 1988
• Poster Type: East German Film Poster
• Style:
• Art By: Birgitt Oßwald
• Rolled/Folded/Other: Folded/Rolled
• Condition: Near Mint/Mint
• Condition Details: Originally folded (as issued), but stored flat a long time and single fold line softened.