E German Stasi drama hits German film prize jackpot

BERLIN, May 13 (Reuters) A powerful drama about how Communist East Germany's Stasi security police infiltrated ordinary people's lives swept the German Film Prize taking seven awards in the world's most lucrative film contest.

''Das Leben der Anderen'' (''The Lives of Others'') collected the ''Lola'' awards from the 700 members of the German Film Academy for best film, best director, best actor, best supporting actor and three other categories.

The film, set in East Berlin five years before the Berlin Wall fell, has been a surprise box office hit in Germany for its haunting portrayal of the nefarious Stasi and its vast web of informants that kept the nation suppressed and living in fear.

The ''Lolas,'' presented for the 56th year, are Germany's answer to Hollywood's Oscars and Britain's BAFTA film awards.

The Film Academy votes for the German government-sponsored awards worth a total of 2.85 million euros (3.7 million dollars).

Reuters SI VP0915