Das Schweigen und das Schreiben – Dokumentarfilm über Friederike Mayröcker

In the organizer's words:

After her first Mayröcker film ("1 Häufchen Blume, 1 Häufchen Schuh", 1990 for Kunststücke on ORF), filmmaker Carmen Tartarotti decided 15 years later to attempt a second film with the poet; this time without any restrictions in terms of content and form, length or deadline from the client. Over the course of several years, she accompanied and interviewed the poet in her apartment and on her reading tours as discreetly as possible, mostly alone with camera and microphone, as the protagonist had expressly requested - but with decisive support from Swiss cameraman Pio Corradi.

One of the prerequisites for the realization of the film was the absolute consideration of the writer's current life situation and her work rhythms. This necessitated a different methodology and approach to that used in conventional productions: the fragile room architecture in Mayröcker's apartment does not allow the use of normal camera and lighting equipment under any circumstances. For months, the director was anxious to obtain statements from the poet that were not answers to questions, but statements of the most seemingly self-evident kind: unspectacular and therefore of great appeal.

The film will be followed at 7.30 pm by the reading "Ich bin so FLEUR dasz nichts geht mehr - Zum 100. Geburtstag von Friederike Mayröcker" at the Haus für Poesie. Free admission to the reading with the movie ticket.