Teaser
- BERTOLT BRECHT (1898-1956), one of the greatest German dramatists of the 20th century, was an amazingly productive playwright, director, lyricist, theatre theorist and social critic. He created epic theatre and invented a new genre: the “learning-play”, as Brecht himself called it. It enables self-reflection within groups at a high level of enthusiastic involvement. Not written for the stage or an audience, the learning-play is targeted to non-professionals, people who want to critically examine everyday aggression, violence and force in the course of a spirited approach.
REINER STEINWEG developed a unique method for contemporary theatre studies, social work and educating for peace on the basis of Brecht‘s text. The improvised acting-out of text that always remains the same, albeit in ever-changing variations, kindles the participants’ creativity. Encouraged by rounds for reflection, their attention increasingly focuses on physical-mental stances in social and political conflicts. What kind of effect does changing one’s own attitude have on conflicts that take on a potentially forceful form?
Dr Reiner Steinweg (*1939) / Linz, Austria / specialist on Brecht‘s learning-plays / publicist / peace researcher / teaches theater & storytelling.
Production, sales and copyright: www.reinersteinweg.info/
Original with English subtitles, Translation: Leigh Hoch, Hamburg.
The DVD to the film has been published by Schibri-Verlag in the book series "Lingener Beiträge zur Theaterpädagogik Bd 16", Schibri-Verlag: ISBN 978-3-86863-192-0 (www.schibri.de).
Content of the DVD: Content: 71 min. Film + 30 min. lecture (in German) by Dr Reiner Steinweg about Brecht's learning-plays.
Die DVD is also available:
Direct sales, e-mail contakt: gernot.steinweg(at)web.de
for educational entities: FILMSORTIMENT: www.filmsortiment.de
Synopsis
- Scene 5 from the “learning-play”
“The Exception and the Rule” by Bertolt Brecht.
translated by: Leigh Hoch, Hamburg
By the Raging River
The Coolie:
We took the right route, sir. What we see over there is the river Myr. Though usually not hard to cross at this time of year, when the water stands high the current is quite strong and perilous. The river is high.
The Merchant:
We must get across.
The Coolie:
Waiting up to 8 days is common before it can be crossed safely. It’s very dangerous now.
The Merchant:
We’ll see. We can’t wait a single day.
The Coolie:
Then we have to look for a ford or a boat.
The Merchant:
That will take too long.
The Coolie:
But I’m a very poor swimmer.
The Merchant:
The water’s not that high.
The Coolie (plunges a stick into the water):
It is very high.
The Merchant:
Once you’re in the water, you’ll swim. Because you’ll have to. The point is, you can’t see this from all sides like I can. Why do we have to go to Urga? Have you heard that roads and even a railway are supposed to be built across this region? Just picture it: (there’ll be) a bridge here and a wide road here; and have you heard that oil was found there?
The Left Chorus:
We hear that when oil
is discovered, it’s hidden.
Whoever plugs the hole the oil
comes from receives hush money.
The victims fall prey in the millions,
yet the oil doesn’t come.
The Merchant:
There will be food and clothing and God knows what. And who’s going to do that? We are.
It all depends on our journey. Just picture it:
that the eyes of this whole country, so to speak, are on you, on one little man. And you shy away from doing your duty?
The Coolie (has been nodding reverently during the speech):
I’m not a good swimmer.
The Merchant:
But I’m risking my life, too.
(The coolie nods in deference)
The Merchant:
I understand you. Guided by lowly, profit-seeking deliberations, you have no interest at all in reaching the town of Urga as soon as possible. Your interest lies in getting there as late as possible because you’re paid per day. So it’s not the journey that really interests you, it’s merely the pay.
The Coolie (stands at the riverbank, hesitant. To the chorus):
What should I do?
(The Left Chorus sings the song about “I and We”)
The Left Chorus:
1
Here is the river.
To swim across is dangerous
Two men stand on the riverbank
That one swims across, the other
Hesitates. Is that one daring?
Is the other cowardly? Beyond the river
That one has business waiting.
2
That one scales the surmounted riverbank
Emerging from peril with a sigh of relief
He sets foot on his property
He eats a new meal.
But the other emerges from peril
Gasping into nothingness.
The weakened one is welcomed with
New danger. Are both of them brave?
Are both of them wise?
Alas! From the jointly vanquished river
No two victors emerge.
The Coolie (sings):
3
We and: you and I
That’s not the same.
We achieve the victory
And you prevail over me.
The Coolie (speaks):
At least let me rest for half a day. I am tired from all the lugging. When rested, perhaps I can get across.
The Merchant:
I know a better remedy. I’ll stick this gun in your back. Want to bet that you’ll get across?
(He shoves him ahead. To himself:)
My money makes me fear the bandits and forget the river.
The Right Chorus:
Such is how man overcomes
the desert and the raging river
and overcomes himself, the human being,
and garners the oil that’s needed.
Crew
- Director: Gernot Steinweg
- Director of photography: Rea Karen, Andreas Daniel
- Editor (Cut): Gernot Steinweg
- Score: Reiner Dr. Steinweg
- Producer: Reiner Steinweg
- Co-Director: Rea Karen
- co-producer: Claudia Bühlmann
- Second assistant to director: Sophie Staff
- Associate producer: Gernot Steinweg
- Line producer: Gernot Steinweg
- Sound: Gernot Steinweg
- Supported by: Institut Angewandtes Theater Wien, Claudia BühlmannDeutsches Archiv f. Theaterpädagogik (DATP), Hochschule Osnabrück / Lingen, Prof. Dr. Marianne StreiHochschule Osnabrück, Theaterpädagogik, Prof. Dr. Bernd RupingDeutsche Gesellschaft für Theaterpädagogik e.V. / Florian Vaßen
- Production company: Dr. Reiner Steinweg
