Celebrating 30 years of art films
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Montreal’s International Festival of Films on Art (FIFA), from March 15 to 25. Concordia, an institutional partner of the festival, is hosting the Canadian premiere of Mendelsohn’s Incessant Visions, on Thursday, February 23 in the J.A. DeSève Cinema in anticipation of this year’s festival.
“Concordia supports the mission of a festival that brings exceptional productions such as this to a larger audience,” says Clarence Epstein, director of Special Projects and Cultural Affairs for the Office of the President. “We welcomed the opportunity to showcase this film because it’s a poignant and fascinating story that will resonate with members of the diverse Concordia community.”
The acclaimed film by Duki Dror tells the story of Erich Mendelsohn, who was one of the pioneers of expressionist architecture. At the beginning of his career, Mendelsohn was enlisted to serve in the German army in the First World War. During the conflict, he sent from the trenches many fascinating architectural sketches drawn on scraps of paper to his wife, Louise Maas.
Convinced that her husband possessed unique talents, Maas encouraged Mendelsohn to pursue his career in architecture after the war. Her contacts led to him being commissioned to design the Einstein Tower in Potsdam, an astrophysical observatory. The innovative structure helped cement his reputation and launch his career.
After fleeing Nazi Germany in 1933, Mendelsohn spent time in England and Israel before eventually settling in the United States. His architectural legacy lives on most notably in Tel Aviv and his native Germany.
Mendelsohn’s intense relationship with Maas was documented in letters they sent to each other from the time they were teenagers. Before they left Germany, Maas threatened to leave Mendelsohn for a famous Communist poet and playwright. Mendelsohn built an enormous house for her, with every detail planned out, down to the silverware and her evening gowns.
Dror builds his film around the lifelong correspondence between Maas and Mendelsohn. Through their intense relationship, he rebuilds the architect’s wandering and fascinating life, with all its triumphs and failures.
Dror discovered the story of Mendelsohn while walking in the streets of Tel Aviv and admiring some of his buildings. Dror writes: “This was a compelling story of a displaced artist who had a radical will and a pencil in his hand with which he wanted to change the world, and so he did.”
The screening is open to everyone, but a reservation is required since seating is limited. Contact 514-848-2424 ext. 2809 or otudoson@alcor.concordia.ca.
When: Thursday, February 23 at 6 p.m.
Where: J.A. DeSève Cinema, J.W. McConnell Library Building (1400 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W.), Sir George Williams Campus
The largest event of its kind in the world, FIFA is devoted to the worldwide promotion and presentation of films on art and media art. The eleven-day competitive festival occurs every spring in Montreal, presenting art film productions at major Montreal cultural institutions including Concordia University.
Related link:
• International Festival of Films on Art