It's hard to say for sure. Some people believe in past lives based on personal experiences or spiritual beliefs, but there's no concrete scientific evidence to prove it.
Well, 'The Lives of Others' is not based on a specific true event. It's a work of fiction created by the filmmakers' imagination, though it could touch upon themes and situations that are relevant to real life in a general sense.
The significance could be that it's based on a real - life event. It might be about 13 lives being saved or changed in some way. It could also serve as an inspiration, showing how real - life heroes can make a difference.