One of the iconic Defa films was probably the little muck. The story of the little boy, who experienced the economic rise and case in the oriental world, enchanted the GDR audience of various generations. The focus was of course the actor Thomas Schmidt, who embodied the little muck at the age of eleven. But despite its huge level of awareness No acting career followed.
By chance to success: the little muck also made it into the West
The story of the small muck is a defa film adaptation of the fairy tale of the same name from the 19th century. Thomas Schmidt got the leading role on his eleventh birthday. The role of little music should actually be embodied by an adult man, but Schmidt sat around on the set with a turban on the headwhich is why he was obliged to do without further ado.
So the little muck, which was not only a huge success in the GDR and other Eastern Bloc countries, became of Thomas Schmidt, but also found his fans in the Federal Republic. The success in the West was long in coming, since 1953 East German films were still prohibited in the west.
By the way, the entire film can be viewed completely free of charge on YouTube:
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In the course of the historical reappraisal around the Winnetou films, the small muck also came into focus. Because that at that time black facing With the small muck and with some extras is one From today’s perspective, racist practice. The stereotypical representation of the oriental world was also criticized.
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The family fled from the east: That became Thomas Schmidt
But despite the huge success of little music, there wasn’t much to hear from Thomas Schmidt. There is also a simple reason for this: two years after the film was published Floh Schmidt’s stepfather from the GDRBecause he felt aesthetically limited. Schmidt changed the industry and studied psychology and medicine.
Schmidt actually developed in his late years The nasal douche for rinse with saline solution. After the reunification, however, he was still showered with fan mail to the little muck and was surprised how he was still known after all these years. Thomas Schmidt died in Hanover in 2008.