HIDDENSEE

Annekatrin Hendel tells the story of the Baltic Sea island of Hiddensee, which is 17 kilometers long, only 250 meters wide, and holds a century of stories, in her documentary of the same name. It is dedicated to a wide variety of visitors:inside and residents:– in their stories, the social developments on the mainland are simultaneously reflected. Historical photographs tell of the intellectual avant-garde around Bertolt Brecht and Asta Nielsen, who used Hiddensee as a refuge in the 1920s. In the 1980s, East German youths sought artistic freedom on the island – and the director herself discovered Hiddensee during this time. Today, the present is marked by local political conflicts between preservation and commercialization.

Hendel's film tells its story in an essayistic style and through atmospheric snapshots. The black-and-white landscape shots and long takes convey that feeling of peace and freedom that characterizes Hiddensee as a place steeped in history to this day.

Film Discussion

Following the film screening, there will be a discussion with the director Annekatrin Hendel.

Stills (top): ©Beate Nelken