Film Archive

Jahr

Land (Film Archive)

Retrospective 2022
Filmstill Kollwitz and Her Children
Kollwitz and Her Children
Christa Mühl
What to think of children playing on the Kollwitz sculpture? An exchange of letters with its sculptor inspired Christa Mühl to a shrewd and subtle miniature.
Filmstill Kollwitz and Her Children

Kollwitz and Her Children

Die Kollwitz und ihre Kinder
Christa Mühl
Retrospective 2022
Documentary Film
GDR
1971
10 minutes
German
Subtitles: 
None

Kollwitzplatz, Prenzlauer Berg: Children are playing and climbing all over the monument to Käthe Kollwitz, frowning adults are watching them. What would Gustav Seitz, the creator of the sculpture, say? Christa Mühl has asked him but reveals his answer only when the adults have finally disappeared. Until then, she constructs explosive matter as light as a feather, set to Belgian cembalo jazz and with the perky montage style that characterises her early documentary work. After Karl-Eduard von Schnitzler himself had the most controversial scene cut, the film could be broadcast on television and triggered a lively discussion about the practical value of art.

Felix Mende

Credits DOK Leipzig Logo

Director
Christa Mühl
Script
Werner Hecht, Christa Mühl
Cinematographer
Christiane Kunow
Editor
Karin Döring
Producer
Hochschule für Film und Fernsehen der DDR
Sound
Wolfgang Hasse