The Man at the Window (1989)

A short film with protagonists whose odd behaviour might have graced a few Godard films. They are angered and alarmed by the life that has been planned for them in a social housing project, one that cynically parades itself as the “humane town planning” of the early 80s. A few residents take things into their own hands: the architect is swiftly kidnapped, and – in the box-like kitchen, or in the “cosy” living room – forced to defend himself before a tribunal. His failings are manifest. The residents’ role is merely to underline the functionality of the architecture. The architect is forced at gunpoint to sign a statement declaring that he has delivered a living quarters instead of a home.

VIDEO-ON-DEMAND

DETAILS

Writer, Director
Robert Bramkamp
Camera
Herbert Baumann
Production Manager
Martin Hagemann
Starring
Heinrich Hüser, Karl-Heinz Hucke, Angelika Schirmer, Bernd Konrad, among others
Production
Silly Girls
Format
16mm, Farbe
Length
17:40 min.
Premiere
5. Int. Hamburger Kurzfilmfestival 1989
Screenings
Fifarc, Bordeaux (F) 1990, Int. Kurzfilmfestival Berlin 1989, u.a.
TV-Erstausstrahlung
Mai 90 (Kanal 4/Sat 1)
Awards
1. Preis, 2e Festival International du Film d´Architecture et d’Urbanisme de Lausanne (CH) 1989