Making of a Prostitute (original German title: Die Spalte) is a 1971 West German drama directed by Gustav Ehmck. Often categorized within the New German Cinema or "sexploitation" leanings of the era, the film follows a young woman's tragic descent into the underworld after escaping a strict social system. Film Overview Original Title: Die Spalte (also known as The Crack). Director/Writer: Gustav Ehmck.
Starring: Gerhild Berktold (as Sophie), Axel Schiessler, and Werner Umberg. Release Date: April 2, 1971 (West Germany). Runtime: Approximately 85 minutes. Plot Synopsis Making of a Prostitute (1971) - IMDb
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"Making of a Prostitute" is a documentary-style film that explores the lives of prostitutes in Germany during the early 1970s. The film provides insights into the social and economic conditions that led individuals into prostitution.
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The 1971 German film Making of a Prostitute (original title: Die Spalte) received a definitive 1080p Blu-ray release from Subkultur Entertainment in May 2023. This release is highly regarded for its restoration quality and extensive supplemental material. Film Overview
Directed by Gustav Ehmck, the movie is a gritty example of New German Cinema mixed with exploitation elements.
Plot: The story follows Sophie, a teenage girl who escapes a strict Catholic orphanage only to fall into the world of prostitution and human trafficking on the streets of Munich.
Style: It is described as a "downbeat and misanthropic" Bavarian forced prostitution drama with an experimental, "guerrilla film" feel. Blu-ray Technical Specifications makingofaprostitute1971german1080pbluray
The Subkultur Entertainment edition is the primary high-definition source for this film. Resolution: 1080p High Definition. Format: Typically released as a Digipack. Audio: Includes both German and Italian audio tracks. Subtitles: Features optional English and German subtitles.
Region: Some listings indicate Region B (requiring a region-free player in North America), while others note it as Region-Free. Deep Guide to Special Features
The Subkultur release includes several rare supplements that provide context for its place in German cult cinema:
Extended & Alternate Footage: Includes scenes not found in standard theatrical cuts.
Widescreen Version: Presents the film in its original intended aspect ratio.
Promotional Materials: Includes vintage publicity stills and original advertising materials. Where to Find It
Since this is a niche German import, it is most easily found through specialty retailers or international marketplaces:
Collectors' Market: Often available through Subkultur Entertainment or via international sellers on eBay.
Format Note: Ensure you are selecting the Blu-ray version, as a standard DVD was released simultaneously. Making Of A Prostitute (1971) - Letterboxd Making of a Prostitute (original German title: Die
Making of a Prostitute (originally titled Die Spalte , 1971) is a raw, independent German drama that sits in the uncomfortable cross-section of early 70s sex cinema and experimental social realism. Directed by Gustav Ehmck
, the film is far from the lighthearted comedies typical of the era, offering instead a "guerrilla-style" look at exploitation. The Story: A Descent into the Underworld The film follows (played with haunting vulnerability by Gerhild Berktold
), a 15-year-old girl who flees the rigid, oppressive environment of a convent-run reform school. Her escape leads her to the streets of Munich, where she is quickly ensnared by a manipulative pimp named
Unlike many films of its time that glamorized the "sexual revolution," this film focuses on the systematic stripping away of Sophie's agency as she is forced into the world of prostitution. Why It’s Historically Significant Experimental Style
: Critics often describe it as a "hybrid" product—it adopts the aesthetic of the West German "sex wave" to draw in audiences but maintains a feminist, refusal-oriented undertone that critiques the very industry it depicts. Social Realism
: It captures a gritty, "raw presence" of 1970s Munich, utilizing immediate, unpolished camerawork by Rudolf Blaháček. Cultural Context
: Released during a time when German cinema was split between commercial "Schulmädchen-Report" (Schoolgirl Report) films and the intellectual New German Cinema, Die Spalte
(The Crack/The Gap) bridges these worlds with its grim, avant-garde approach. 1080p Blu-ray Release
For decades, the film was a rarity, often relegated to poor-quality bootlegs. In March 2023, the boutique German label Subkultur Entertainment gave the film a definitive 1080p Blu-ray release Title: Making of a Prostitute (German: "Prostitution -
. This restoration allows viewers to see the bleak, textured cinematography of 70s Munich in high definition, preserving a piece of underground European cinema history that was nearly lost. Key Credits: Director/Producer: Gustav Ehmck
Gerhild Berktold (as Sophie), Axel Schiessler (as Hotte), and Werner Umberg Cinematography: Rudolf Blaháček and Gabor Von Hamory restorations or similar New German Cinema Making of a Prostitute (1971) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
Making of a Prostitute (original title: Die Spalte) is a 1971 West German drama directed by Gustav Ehmck. Unlike the typical "sexploitation" films of that era, it is often noted for its gritty, semi-documentary realism regarding the sex trade in Munich. Key Details Release: Debuted in West Germany on April 2, 1971.
Plot: Follows Sophie, a teenager who escapes a Catholic reformatory and is lured into forced prostitution on the streets of Munich.
Blu-ray Status: A high-definition restoration was released by Subkultur Entertainment in Germany on March 17, 2023.
Tone: Described by reviewers on Letterboxd as a "grim, realistic" portrait of exploitation rather than pure entertainment. Critical Context
While it shares a 1971 release year with Ernst Hofbauer's more "playful" Mädchen beim Frauenarzt (Teenage Sex Report), Die Spalte is much darker. It focuses on the cycle of entrapment, featuring: Pimps (Zuhälter) Hotte and Sandro. A student leader character named Perry.
A "semi-hopeful" ending that avoids the common "death of the fallen woman" trope found in older cinema.
💡 Note: If you are looking for the IMDb entry, it provides a full cast list including Gerhild Berktold as Sophie. Making of a Prostitute (1971) - IMDb
"A Prostitute" (German title: likely a literal translation) is a provocative early-1970s West German film that reflects the era’s social upheavals, sexual liberation debates, and New German Cinema’s interest in marginalized lives. A modern 1080p Blu-ray restoration reframes the film for contemporary viewers, offering improved picture and sound that highlight its production design, performances, and formal choices.