Summaries

The life of Jewish Expressionist poet and performance artist, Else Lasker-Schüler (1869-1945), told chronologically in vignettes given context by archival footage of turn-of-the-century Germany, World War I, and the ascent of the Third Reich. Her poetry often comprises the soundtrack. We see her in relation to men: her first husband, whom she leaves after her son is born; artists like Chagall and Franz Marc; an older muse and then a second husband; and, Gottfried Benn (1886 - 1956), physician and poet. Benn's life is also chronicled: homosexual encounters, his attraction to Else and the Berlin scene, and his politics. Her poems addressed to him define this cultural moment.—<[email protected]>

Details

Keywords
  • artist
  • poet
  • open marriage
  • performance artist
  • second husband
Genres
  • Drama
  • Biography
Release date Sep 16, 1997
Countries of origin Germany
Language German
Production companies Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) ARTE Helma Sanders-Brahms Filmproduktion

Box office

Tech specs

Runtime 1h 30m
Color Color Black and White
Sound mix Dolby
Aspect ratio 1.66 : 1

Synopsis

All Filters