Films by Nina Mühlenkamp

Germany 2021, 52 min
by Carl von Karstedt

We look back at more than half a century of mysterious artistic creation while trying to crack a unique artistic code. Why are people moved to tears when Robert 'Bob' Wilson puts minimalistic petrol pumps into a production of Shakespeare's sonnets? Why does merciless repetition change our understanding of something? Together with Tom Waits, Willem Dafoe or Marina Abramović we trace back our own experience of Bob's art. Is it true what Philipp Glass the collaborator of the milestone piece 'Einstein on the Beach' laughingly and with apparent pleasure exclaims "what does it mean? It doesn't mean anything!"?with: Marina Abramovic, Willem Dafoe, Tom Waits, Philipp Glass, Christian Friedel, Christopher Nell, Ann-Christin Rommen, Stefan Kurt, Sabin Tambrea, and Traute Hoess

Germany 2020, 52 min
by Sylvie Kürsten

At the beginning of the 20th century there were two celebrated liberators of music who were the complete opposite of each other: the stylishly nonchalant Igor Stravinsky who revolutionized the musical field from the rhythm-section on the one hand – and on the other the smart and world-weary Arnold Schoenberg with his visionary 12-tone-music. What started as a respectful meeting of two composers soon turned into a bitter rivalry that led to a fundamental debate about progress and truth in music. We travelled to L.A., Vienna and Venice to trace the steps of the two genius composers.

2019, 52 min
by Andreas Morell

Carlo Gesualdo – beastly murderer and divine composer – is one of the most striking figures in the history of music. Based on his dramatic honor killing, the film tells the story of multi-facetted, revolutionary music and the search for forgiveness.Gesualdo, 47, is the Prince of Venosa, a musical genius and insomniac. Every night he lies awake, haunted by the gruesome act he committed on the 16th of October 1590. Developing from this opening sequence, the documentary tells the story of this extraordinary character, well-illustrated through visits to the original settings in Naples and the village of Gesualdo, as well as enacted scenes.Through the power of music, the film explores the thin line between fascination and disgust. How is it possible to commit a capital crime, yet write divine music? Are crime and genius interwoven? And can salvation through music be achieved?

2019, 43 min
by Magdalena Zieba-Schwind

Founded by members of the Philharmonic Orchestras from Berlin and Vienna, the PHILHARMONIX branded their ensemble-DNA with an important codex: they play everything – literally EVERYTHING! – they have always wanted to play. Virtuosity and iron discipline meets with boundless joy and passion for music of every kind. Tristan meets Tango, Strauss' "Fledermaus" meets Queens „Don't stop me now", „Summertime" meets Beethoven. Together with the PHILHARMONIX we take their feel-good-music off the stage and right into everyday life!