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Erich Kästner: A Tribute

Marking the 50th anniversary of the death of Erich Kästner (1899-1974), the beloved children's author, the Leo Baeck Institute is holding a conference dealing with his personality, the body of his work, and his reception in Israel.

Kästner is primarily famous today because of his children’s books – “Emil and the Detectives”, “Lottie and Lisa”, “Dot and Anton”, “The Flying Classroom”, and many others. Yet, he was also a renowned poet, journalist, and critic widely published in the left-wing liberal press. He was also a productive and talented cinema and cabaret playwright and filmmaker. The conference title, “Der doppelte Erich”(“Double Erich”) deals with the duality of his personality and oeuvre: his compassionate, humorous, and positive children’s books versus his bitter, cynical, and critical writings for adults. Kästner belonged to the liberal left-wing bohemian circles that stood for freedom and equal rights for women, yet he also demonstrated a distinct misogynist attitude. On top of all, his puzzling choice to stay in Nazi Germany and keep working and creating there, while most of his circle either fled Germany or was murdered. Kästner’s own books were burned, and he was investigated by the Gestapo. 

At the Cinematheque, we will hold a program dedicated to film adaptations of Kästner, accompanied by lectures, as well as one film dealing with his life during Nazi Germany.

In light of all this, it is quote incredible that he was universally beloved by his Hebrew readers – even more so than by his German ones. His books, mainly those for children, were translated into Hebrew time and again and were (and still are!) read by Israelis generation after generation.

 

With gratitude to Goethe-Institut for its generous support

Opening Event

Greetings: Sharon Livne, Leo Baeck Institute Jerusalem, speaker (in Heb.): David Witzthum

Fabian – Going to the Dogs

Dir.: Dominik Graf
| 176 minutes

Berlin, in the days before the rise of the Nazis. Jakob Fabian spends his nights drifting through cabaret bars and brothels. He does not realize that life as he knows it is about to change beyond recognition. Dominic Graf's epic film is about freedom, insanity, and moral decline. 

Emil and the Detectives

Dir.: Gerhard Lamprecht
| 75 minutes

The story of a boy, who with the help of a group of resourceful children, stops the bandit who robbed him. Emil and the Detectives became an instant hit upon its publication in 1929, and this adaptation, a fascinating collaboration between Erich Kästner and Billy Wilder, is convincing and intriguing even today.

Flying Classroom

Dir.: Kurt Hoffmann
| 92 minutes

In a boarding school for boys, a lonely student writes a play that describes the students' journey to the places they study in classes, allowing the kids to face the challenges in their lives. Kästner wrote the adaptation of his adventure book, and the result is an enjoyable work.

Three Men in the Snow

Dir.: Kurt Hoffmann
| 93 minutes

Under a pseudonym, an eccentric millionaire wins second place in a lottery, a hotel vacation. He arrives at the hotel under the false name, but instead of a suitable welcome, the hotel manager cozies up to the competition's winner - not the millionaire, but just a simple guy. 

Prior to the screening, lecture (in Heb.): Dr. Sharon Gordon

Punktchen and Anton

Dir.: Thomas Engel
| 91 minutes

Punktchen lives with her wealthy parents. Anton lives with his sick mother and helps support the family. They meet at night when Punktchen's governess takes her to collect alms to pay her dubious partner. Based on Erich Kästner's beloved children's book, this captivating adaptation maintains Kästner's witty tone and social sensitivity. 

Kästner and Little Tuesday

Dir.: Wolfgang Murnberger
| 98 minutes

An extraordinary friendship blossoms between writer Erich Kästner and the young Hans-Albrecht Löhr, who wins the role of Little Tuesday in the film adaptation of Emil and the Detectives. Until the Nazis come to power and ostracized Kästner becomes a danger to the boy.

Prior to the screening, lecture (in Heb.): Prof. Ofer Ashkenazi

Münchhausen

Dir.: Josef von Baky
| 114 minutes

The story of a charismatic and dishonest German Baron in Europe at the end of the 18th century stands at the center of this film: a high-budget adventure film designed to distract the public in Nazi Germany from the hardships of the war. This is a very good film, and from today's perspective, it inspires admiration and averseness.

The Parent Trap

Dir.: Nancy Meyers
| 123 minutes

The story of a pair of identical twins, who were separated at birth, each to live with a different one of their divorced parents. The girls meet by chance at summer camp and discover just how different their separate upbringings have made them. A witty adaptation of Erich Kastner's classic book.