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Solidarity Song
The Hanns Eisler Story
The great, but little known, 20th century composer, persecuted for his communism.
84 minutes
Directed by Larry Weinstein
Produced by Rhombus Media
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Hanns Eisler, arguably one of the greatest composers of the twentieth century, is also one of the least known. A devoted communist, he was persecuted by the fascists of Germany, the House Committee on Un-American Activities in the US after he fled here, and then finally, and most painfully, the communist government of East Germany. His close relationships with such personalities as Arnold Schoenberg, Bertolt Brecht, and Charlie Chaplin, his political and humanistic convictions, and his remarkably diverse music for theatre, film, orchestra, singers and choir--even East Germany's national anthem--are all illuminated in this documentary portrait.
SOLIDARITY SONG features interviews with close friends and relatives of Eisler, rare and previously unknown footage from explosive events of his life, and newly recorded performances of his music. Filmed on location in Berlin, Vienna, Bremen, New York and Los Angeles.
Grade Level: 10-12, College, Adult
US Release Date: 1997
Copyright Date: 1996
DVD ISBN: 1-59458-832-5
VHS ISBN: 1-56029-687-9
Reviews
"I highly recommend this film...It is a wonderful montage of live musical performance, dramatic portrayal, film footage, and personal interviews...this film should be a part of any class dealing with the twentieth century, whether fine arts, history, or otherwise." Dr. Brad Eden, MC Journal
"A splendid evocation of a past and a culture--the workers' theater promoted by the pre-WWII German Communists with plays and songs written by famous artists-- that is doomed to obscurity." Cineaste
"Not a straightforward biography, this impressionistic...profile...honors a talented artist who remained at the " enter of criticism" in both his native land and the U.S." Booklist
"Recommended" Library Journal
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"Should be a part of any class dealing with the twentieth century."
MC Journal
Awards and Festivals
Czech Crystal Prize, Golden Prague, Czech Republic
Gold Camera Award, US International Film & Video Festival
Gold Plaque, Intercom Chicago
First Prize, Classique en Images, The Louvre Museum
DESIRABLE, California Instructional Technology Clearinghouse
Silver Apple, National Educational Media Network Competition
Special Mention, Prix Italia
Best Sound, Gemini Awards
Berlin International Film Festival
Nominated, Banff Television Festival
FIPA, France
Festival dei Popoli, Italy
Festival international de cinéma et des nouveaus médias de Montreal
Subjects
American Studies
Biography
Communism
Composers
European Studies
History
Human Rights
Humanities
International Studies
Law
Music
Social Justice
Related Titles
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My War Years
Portrait of the 20th century's most influential composer.
Ravel's Brain
Evokes and explores Ravel's illness-plagued final years, when he was able to produce music but couldn't write it down.
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