the best orchestra in the world
SCREENED MAY 6, 2022 AT THE ROBERT MCLAUGHLIN GALLERY AS PART OF RMG FRIDAYS ALONG WITH THE FILM ‘THIS GARDEN IS YOURS.’
SCREENING TIMES: 7:15PM | 8:00PM | 9:00PM
About the film:
Ingbert, the sock, attempts to assert himself against existing systems by auditioning as a double bass player at the Vienna State Orchestra.
WATCH DRIFF’S GLOBAL CLASSROOM DISCUSSION WITH HENNING BACKHAUS IN 2020.
About the director:
Henning Backhaus was born in Dresden, Germany. He moved to Vienna to study directing with Austrian/French film director Michael Haneke at the Film Academy Vienna. In 2013 Backhaus shot his debut film ‘Local Heroes“ on 16mm and 35mm film. From 2013 to 2018 he was an assistant director at the Vienna State Opera. Just recently he worked in the sound department of Terrence Malick’s ‘A Hidden Life.’
Director’s Statement:
“During production of ‘The Best Orchestra In The World’ a line by Franz Kafka was my constant companion: ‘The lie is made into a world order.’ For me that doesn't refer to so-called fake news or tweeting presidents, that would be too easy. After all, we can still speak of disorder in such cases. The lie goes deeper. It lies in the assertion that the system by which we assess our fellow human beings, assign them a place and have a say in their lives is without alternative. The lie is concealed by the offer of new lies, injustice is replaced by injustice, the old ideology gives way to the new ideology. Maybe it will always be that way. If we keep our eyes open, we'll see how many lives we ruin. It helps to recall another line from time to time - by Robert Musil: ‘The truth is not a crystal that you can put into your pocket.’”
“We think ‘The Best Orchestra in the World’ is an amazing absurdist take on discrimination. It is so subtle but still in your face. Done with a lot of tact and charm while presenting a serious topic.”
