May 8, 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. The surrender of the Wehrmacht marked the end of a war that claimed countless lives and left a deep mark on Europe and the world. The day marked the beginning of a period of upheaval, uncertainty and arduous reconstruction. Our selection of feature and documentary films deliberately focuses on the end of the war and the first years afterwards. The films tell of individual experiences at a time when many things were broken - and had to slowly begin anew.