Graphic designer Stefanie is stuck in a rut. Between advertising projects and commissioned works, her creative efforts seem futile and meaningless. Things change when she goes to see an exhibition and discovers the works of German photomontage artist, Dadaist and antifascist John Heartfield. Like Alice falling down the rabbit hole, Stefanie miraculously finds herself transported to the basement studio of this pioneer of political photomontage. And on top of that, the artist himself is present as well in the form of an animated figure. Heartfield’s collages scathingly mocked war, fascism and, most of all, the rise of Nazism in 1930s Germany. Inspired by his eventful life, which feels like an odyssey through the turmoil of the 20th century, a dialogue unfolds between Stefanie and Heartfield about the purpose and meaning and, most importantly, the political power of art. The film is terrifyingly topical – in view of the growing threat of far-right extremism, Heartfield himself says in a goosebump moment: “Facism: Do you even know what that means? Here they are again.” An absolute must-see!

Director Katrin Rothe will speak about the making and the background of her film at the Best Practice forum. Collages with elements from the film will also be on display on the mezzanine floor of Metro cinema during the festival!

ADDITIONAL EVENTS

ASIFA AUSTRIA STUDIO TOUR

SUN 10 March, 16:00
JOHNNY & ME
ASIFA Austria studio
Dapontegasse 9a, 1030 Vienna

JOHNNY & ME was partly made at the ASIFA Austria studio in Vienna. Director Katrin Rothe and Benjamin Swiczinsky and Birgit Scholin from the animation team will take you on a studio tour and show you where and how the film was made. The number of visitors is limited. Please register via email to office@trickywomen.at until 7 March.

BEST PRACTICE

Art as a Weapon – John Heartfield and Me
Austrian Film Museum

EXHIBITION

SAT 9 March 17:30
Making Of JOHNNY & ME
METRO Kinokulturhaus, level 1, mezzanine
Guided visit by Katrin Rothe