Address: Viktoriastraße 10-18, 12105 Berlin, Germany | Venue Information | Event Map

This film is in German, subtitled in English.

The documentary The Art of Staying Many captures a series of events organised by Fonds Darstellende Künste (federal funding body for the performing arts) in response to the rise of right-wing politics in Germany, leading up to the 2024 state and local elections. As the film moves between various locations—Leipzig, Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Berlin, Erfurt, among others—it features insightful commentary from both local and international voices, reflecting on the current political climate and its implications for the performing arts in the German context.

The Art of Staying Many is particularly challenged when democracy – the togetherness of many – is threatened by autocratic powers. What role does art have at this historic moment? Can and should it propagate freedom and community spirit, heal existential wounds, develop positive visions of the future?

The actors Tina Pfurr and Hauke Heumann take a cinematic journey through eight cities and collect strong voices from the spheres of arts, politics and science. Between town square and box seats, circus artistry, avant-garde performance and Weimar classicism, they search for what connects us in the past, present and future.

Director Felix Meyer-Christian and Anne-Cathrin Lessel (LOFFT-Das Theater) will give a short introduction and host a post-film Q&A.

Speakers: 
Felix Meyer-Christian, Germany
Anne-Cathrin Lessel, LOFFT - Das Theater, Germany