The work of New York filmmaker and artist Bill Morrison reflects a deep and enduring interest in the celluloid image. His films combine archive material - often unique finds with visible and fascinating traces of dissolution, which become the narrative engine of his cinematic stories - with music.

Morrison's work has been shown in theatres, cinemas, museums, galleries and concert halls around the world. On June 8, he will present and discuss some of the short films that were made during the pandemic – most of which will be shown in Germany for the first time – as well as the German premiere of his most recent feature film THE VILLAGE DETECTIVE. A SONG CYCLE (USA 2021, 81’). During a half-hour break during the short film program and the second part of the evening, we will serve Machiko vegetarian sushi.

6:30 pm short films:
SUNKEN FILMS (USA 2020, 11'), BURIED NEWS (USA 2021, 12'), HER VIOLET KISS (USA 2021, 5'), THE RING (USA 2021, 8'), LET ME COME IN (USA 2021 , 11'), THE LETTER (USA 2018, 13')

Break with sushi and drinks in the Wolf Bar

8:30 pm German Premiere:

THE VILLAGE DETECTIVE: A SONG CYCLE (USA 2021, 81')

During the summer of 2016, a fishing boat near the shores of Iceland made a most curious catch: four reels of 35mm film, seemingly of Soviet provenance. Excitement about what this could be quickly faded, though. As it turned out, this wasn’t a lost work of maybe even major importance, but merely an incomplete print of a well-loved (and perfectly preserved) popular comedy called Derevenskij detektiv (1969, Ivan Lukinskij), which translates as The Village Detective.

So just fit for the trash, as this has zero archival or commercial value? Bill Morrison thought otherwise. For him, this heavily water-damaged mess full of holes, and the way it surfaced, could be seen as a fitting reflection on the life of Mihail Žarov, the star of Derevenskij detektiv, who loved this role so much that he even co-directed a sequel to it. This is how Morrison’s journey into Soviet history, film and beyond started.

The event ends at around 10:30 pm.