This film was Florian von Donnersmarck's directorial debut

A drama about the devastating effect of the secret Stasi police force on ordinary citizens has won seven prizes at Germany's leading film awards.

Among the honours earned by Das Leben der Anderen - The Lives of Others - at the Lolas were best film, director, actor and supporting actor.

Set five years before the Berlin Wall fell, it portrays security officers and their networks of informants.

The movie has sparked a nationwide discussion about Stasi crimes.

The debut of Florian von Donnersmarck has sold 800,000 tickets in two months in Germany so far.

Loyal Stasi officer

Ulrich Muehe was named best actor for his performance as a loyal Stasi officer who monitors a leading playwright but who doubt his beliefs more and more as the story proceeds.

The secret Stasi police kept secret files on millions of East Germans

"It took a few years before anyone found a clever way to bring into focus a system that kept 17 million people locked up and under suppression," said Muehe.

"I was hoping this film would touch a nerve while we were working on it but you never really know how people will react."

Muehe's acting career began in East Germany, where his life was marred by Stasi informants, including one close to his family.

Among the other films recognised at the Lolas - Germany's equivalent of the Oscars or Britain's Baftas - was Requiem.

A film about exorcism in West Germany set in the 1970s, it received 10 nominations and won four awards, including Sandra Hueller for best actress.

In February, Hueller won the Silver Bear award at the Berlin Film Festival for her role.