L'art Du Silence
by Maurizius Staerkle Drux GERMANY / SWITZERLAND / 2022 / 85´
PRESS
"This films is continuing a tradition which still has much to offer." - cineurope
CREW
Cinematographer Rapahel Beinder Editor Tania Stöcklin Music Julian Sartorius, Nils Frahm Sound Maurizius Staerkle Drux, Mélia Rogers, Dénis Sechaud Producer Aline Schmid, Carl-Ludwig Rettinger, Company Beauvoir Films, Lichtblick Film, Ensemble Film Supported by Federal Office of Culture (OFC) / Cinéforom & Loterie Romande / Kulturfonds Suissimage / Aargauer Kuratorium / Zurcher Filmstiftung / SRF SRG SSR / RTS / Media Desk Switzerland / Swissfilms / NRW Filmstiftung / Deutscher Filmförderfonds FFA / ZDF arte
SYNOPSIS
With his gestures and facial expressions alone, the mime Marcel Marceau captured audiences around the globe for decades. But the tragic background behind his work has remained hidden for a long time. THE ART OF SILENCE sheds new light on his life and unique art form, which his family and companions keep alive to this day. Swiss-German filmmaker Maurizius Staerkle Drux (CONCRETE LOVE – THE BÖHM FAMILY) grew up with a deaf father. With THE ART OF SILENCE he reflects on parts of his own life story.
STATEMENT OF THE DIRECTOR
„I grew up with a deaf father. From an early age, my visual attention was greatly nurtured, because my life sometimes resembled a silent movie. I myself am not deaf, I can hear, and at an early age, I started creating music. Even as an adult, I am still trying to figure out what images best express my wishes, my fears and my queries, so that a deaf person can understand them. Perhaps for these very reasons, I chose filmmaking, a synthesis of image and sound. With THE ART OF SILENCE, I reflect a part of my own life story. In doing so, I go beyond what is hidden behind Bip’s, alias Marceau’s white mask. The idea is to depict his work from within a contemporary perspective. Where does his artistic legacy stand and how are his descendants dealing with it? During the making of this film, I spent time with the Marceau family, but also with friends and companions who have carried on Marceau’s art form in their own way. In the process, I realized one thing they have in common: they all draw their art from silence. And the strength to use it to change their lives."
AWARDS
*NOMINATION, MAX OPHÜLS PREIS GERMANY
*NOMINATION FOR PRIX DE SOLEURE, SWITZERLAND
*JURY AWARD, STERNSTUNDE KUNST PITCH, SRF, SWITZERLAND
