“My films show the battle of the individual against circumstances – that eternal problematic of the ancient Greeks – the battle against gods, the battle of Prometheus. Similarly, we fight laws today, we fight the “musts” that seem neither right nor fair in our time… We are always struggling.”
Fritz Lang
Co-organization: Thessaloniki Film Festival Goethe-Institut Inter Nationes Athens, Thessaloniki With the cooperation of: The Greek Film Center Greek Cinematheque Official Communications Sponsor: ERT A.E.
The Thessaloniki Film Festival launches its activities for 2003 with an event of the highest importance and scope. A complete retrospective of the work of Fritz Lang, one of the greatest and most influential visionaries of international cinema will be presented in Greece for the first time at the APOLLON RENAULT Filmcenter (GFC) cinema beginning on January 31, 2003 and lasting two entire weeks, that is until February 13. On February 14 the event will be transferred to Thessaloniki and the OLYMPION-PAVLOS ZANNAS cinema, where it will remain until the 27th of the same month.
The work of this great creator who left his mark as director, script writer and actor will be presented in its entirety by the Festival. A total of 44 feature films will be screened during the Fritz Lang Festival, quite a number of which are new, restored prints.
From the first surviving script of “Hilde Warren and Death” (1919) and the first surviving film he directed “Harakiri” (1919), right up to his swan song “The 1000 Eyes of Dr. Mabuse” (1960) and his legendary appearance in Goddard’s “Contempt” (1963), this retrospective reveals the whole range of Fritz Lang’s creativity that kept pace with the most significant historical and artistic developments of the 20th century.
Specifically, the audience will discover:
Fritz Lang’s early creative period (1919-30), silent German cinema, influenced by the Romantic Movement (“Destiny”, 1921) and German Expressionism, characterized by the landmark film “Metropolis” (1926). These films will be screened to live piano accompaniment by the composer Minas Alexiadis.
The period of talking German cinema (1930-35), marked by creative masterpieces and prophecies of the rise of Nazism (“M”, 1931, “Das Testament der Dr. Mabuse”, 1935).
The American period (1936-1956), lesser known but just as significant as the German period, characterized by studio productions of gangster epics (“The Big Heat”, 1950), spy thrillers (“Manhunt”, 1941), westerns (“Rancho Notorious”, 1951), period adventures (“Moonfleet”, 1954), melodramas (“Clash by Night”, 1952), and social dramas (“Nemesis”, 1936, “You Only Live Once”, 1937), all of them seeped in the atmosphere of film noir exemplifying the scope of Fritz Lang’ s talent.
His return to Germany (1959-1960) and the creation of films that turn back to the director’s original themes and the beginnings of his creative journey (“The Tiger of Eschnapur”, 1959, “The Hindu’s Grave”, 1959, “The 1000 Eyes of Dr. Mabuse”, 1960).
In order to give a more rounded presentation of the historical and artistic value of the work of Fritz Lang, the Thessaloniki Film Festival and the Goethe Institut Inter Nationes are also hosting: • A multi-media exhibition (a Film Museum Berlin – Stiftung Deutsche Kinematek production) at the Thessaloniki Film Museum, with audiovisual materials from the director’s life and work (31/01 – 15/03 2003). • An open discussion on Lang’s work moderated by the critic and film historian Enno Patalas, responsible for the restoration of his films. • The publication of a 400 page monograph on Fritz Lang in cooperation with Kastaniotis Publishing.
Aside from its historical significance, Fritz Lang’s work is seen today to have been prophetic, timely and extraordinarily fascinating. His exploration of the depths of darkness of the human soul, along with his unique cinematic vision, still place Fritz Lang in the first ranks of the international cinema firmament. Price of ticket per screening is €5. Cards valid for 10 screenings will also be available for the price of €35.
The multi-media exhibition on Fritz Lang with audiovisual materials will take place from January 31 to March 15, 2003 at the Thessaloniki Museum of Cinema, in Apotheke A, at the harbour. The Fritz Lang: Vienna –Berlin – Paris – Hollywood exhibit is divided into 12 sections with exhibits from the artist’s work and life, in historical order. It includes testimonies from the director’s friends and colleagues (in special audio booths and dvd) video and photographic material never before screened, interviews, correspondence, as well as valuable art objects such as film proposals, designs, authentic scripts, photos from the films, posters and banners. Material directly connected with Fritz Lang and his films, sheds light not only on the director and his work but also on the man himself. The exhibit was put together by the Berlin Museum of Cinema and was presented for the first time at the 51st Berlin International Film Festival.
As well, the German film historian Enno Patalas will analyze the work of Fritz Lang during an open discussion. Patalas was born in 1929 and studied journalism and German literature. Founder of Filmkritik magazine (1957), he has numerous radio broadcasts and publications on the history of cinema to his credit. From 1973 to 1994 he was director of the Munich Museum of Cinema. His specialty is restoration of classic German films, including those of Lang. The famous restoration of Metropolis, among others, is due to the work of Patalas and his colleagues. The discussion, a Goethe Institut Inter Nationes of Athens initiative, will take place on Thursday, January 30 at 20:30 in the Athens Goethe Institute and on Friday, January 31 at 18:00 at the Olympion Cinema in Thessaloniki. Greek film critics will also be included in the panel.
