Singing in Oblivion
Eve Heller AT, 2021, 13', 35 mm
Vienna’s Jewish Währinger cemetery opened to the public in 1784, during an era of tolerance and prosperity that coincided with the dawn of photography. With the rise of Nazism, this historical jewel of a Biedermeier cemetery was variously desecrated and became an overgrown wilderness, though passersby noted it sounded as if a paradise of birds was locked behind its high stone walls. The graveyard today bears further scars of inertial neglect, left to the ravages of uncontrolled nature. Film footage shot on location interweaves with images painstakingly lifted from antique glass negatives, grasses and mementos contact-printed one frame at a time in a darkroom onto 35mm film.
In honor of refugees past, present and future, facing the loss of life, loved ones, language, and homeland, in kindred empathy with their children, and in thanks to all those who offer compassionate sanctuary. (E. H.)
Thu 26/9 Kino Kinoteka 16:00
