Traum_a
Known for such silent film classics as Nosferatu and Sunrise, director F.W. Murnau, spent part of his youth in Kassel, Germany. In Traum_a, media artist Kara Blake explores the possibility that it was here, with the city’s blend of idyllic nature and imposing architecture, that Murnau began conceiving his atmoshperic and emotionally charged cinematic works. Blake frames the city as if through Murnau’s gaze and pieces together a triptych parralleling an envisaged early 20th century Kassel (or “Cassel” as it was then known) and Murnau’s imagery, both dreamlike and nightmarish.
5 minutes, 2011
director/editor: Kara Blake
images: F.W. Murnau, Kara Blake
music: Nicole Lizée
financial support: A-38 Production Grant awarded by the Kassel Documentary Film Festival and Werkleitz Centre for Media Arts.