The Red Elvis

Largely ignored in the West during the Cold War, American singer and actor Dean Reed was a celebrated star in South America and the Eastern bloc countries. He was a political idealist, a showman and also a womanizer. He saw the fulfilment of his personal utopia in Socialism. He appeared in 20 films, recorded 13 albums and gave concerts in over 30 countries. In 1986, his controversial life came to a mysterious end in an East Berlin lake. In his documentary, Leopold Grün tells the story of Dean Reed’s rise and fall. From many documents and interviews, he puts together the puzzle of Reed’s tragic life - between his desire for success and naïve political engagement. Those contemporaries looking back on Dean Reed’s life include writer Isabel Allende, American radio host Peter Boyles and actor Armin Mueller-Stahl.