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Robert Wilson and the Civil Wars
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Wikipedia article
'Robert Wilson and the Civil Wars' is a 1985 documentary by Howard Brookner about Robert Wilsons ambitious attempt to stage an epic, twelve-hour, multinational opera for the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Synopsis
'Robert Wilson and the Civil Wars' is an in-depth documentation of Robert Wilsons ambitious attempt to stage an epic, twelve-hour, multinational opera for the 1984 Summer Olympics. Filmmaker Howard Brookner follows the avant-garde theatre director as he confronts a hectic work schedule, funding difficulties and relentless international travel in attempt to complete his preparations.
The film examines Wilsons unique theatrical style during 'The Civil Wars: A Tree Is Best Measured When It Is Down', which involves the continual creation of evocative stage sets, owing to a unique juxtaposition of movement, sound, text and image. Known for his precise, painterly images Wilsons work derives more from visual art than the orthodox literary traditions of theatre. As a result, Wilson often challenges actors to perform in a boldly minimalist style, as well as collaborating with non-actors, such as young autistic poet Christopher Knowles in 'Einstein on the Beach'.
Cast
* Robert Wilson
* Philip Glass
* Heiner Mller
* Lucinda Childs
* Sheryl Sutton
* Ingrid Andree
* Bndicte Pesle
* Gavin Bryars
* Michel Guy
* Isabel Eberstadt
* Christopher Knowles
Production
Like Howard Brookners earlier film 'Burroughs: The Movie', 'Robert Wilson and the Civil Wars' features unique access to its subject, as well as an impressive host of interviewees, including Wilsons long-term composer Philip Glass, Heiner Mller, Lucinda Childs, Sheryl Sutton, Ingrid Andree, Bndicte Pesle, Gavin Bryars, Michel Guy, Isabel Eberstadt and Christopher Knowles. Howard Brookner also narrates part of the film himself, which he shot on 16mm in Minneapolis, Rome, Rotterdam, Cologne, Tokyo and Marseille.
The film originally screened in avant-garde and cinema festivals, as well as on public television in the US, on the BBC in the UK and on November 25, 1985 on ZDF in Germany.
References
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