Venus on Trial
Venus on Trial | |
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Directed by | Hans H. Zerlett |
Written by | Hans H. Zerlett |
Produced by | Ottmar Ostermayr |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Oskar Schnirch |
Edited by | Gottlieb Madl |
Music by | Leo Leux |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Bavaria Film |
Release date |
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Running time | 90 minutes |
Country | Germany |
Language | German |
Venus on Trial(German:Venus vor Gericht) is a 1941 Germandrama filmdirected byHans H. Zerlettand starringHannes Stelzer,Hansi Knoteck,andPaul Dahlke.The film was part of the Nazis' campaign against 'degenerate art', and depicts the trial of a young artist who has resisted the trend towards it.[1]
The film was made byBavaria Filmat theirEmelka StudiosinMunich.The film's sets were designed by theart directorsMax Seefelder,Hans SohnleandWilhelm Vorwerg.
Plot
[edit]The film is set in the 1920s. Peter Brake, a sculptor, believes modern art to be decadent. He creates a neoclassical-style statue ofVenus,which he then buries in a Bavarian field in order to protect the identity of Charlotte, the woman who modelled for it. When it is dug up, experts believe thatVenus vom Acker ('Venus of the Fields')is an ancient statue made byPraxiteles.
Peter is unable to prove that he is the creator of the statue, as the only person able to verify his claim is the model. He tries to keep her out of the matter, as she is now a respectable housewife. Ultimately, however, she decides to come forward as a witness.
Cast
[edit]- Hannes Stelzeras Peter Brake, Bildhauer
- Hansi Knoteckas Charlotte Böller
- Paul Dahlkeas Gottlieb Böller, Bürgermeister
- Siegfried Breueras Benjamin Hecht, Kunsthändler
- Charlott Daudertas Marianne
- Ernst Fritz Fürbringeras Paul Dreysing, Zeichner
- Josef Eichheimas Prof. Semmel, Bildhauer
- Erhard Siedelas Der Kultusminister
- Carl Weryas Senior Prosecutor
- Hans Brausewetteras Prosecutor
- Hubert von Meyerinckas Dr.Knarre, Sachverständiger
- Justus Parisas Prof. Grimm, Sachverständiger
- Fritz Reiffas Judge
- Peter Elsholtzas Defense lawyer
- Adolf Gondrellas Bronsky, Agent
- Albert Hörrmannas Dr. Wertheimer, Referent des Kultusministers
- Peter Pasettias Parteigenosse
- Liesl Karlstadtas Hausmädchen
- Fritz Hooptsas Brinkmann, Gerichtsvollzieher
- Eva Tinschmannas Rita, Empfangsdame
- Carl Ballhausas Alfred, Peters Freund
- Heini Handschumacheras Reporter
- Rudolf Vogelas Dr. Gerhard Hümmelmann
- Heinrich Hauser as Obersturmbannführer Lotze
- Gabriele Reismülleras Sekretärin
- Charles Willy Kayser
- Walter Lantzsch
- Kurt Stieler
Role as propaganda
[edit]The character of Peter Brake may be loosely based onArno Breker,whose work was endorsed by the Nazi authorities.[2]
The filmmakers used sculptures that had been seized by the government, includingErnst Kirchner'sDas Paar ('The Couple'),Otto Freundlich'sKopf (Head),andMarg Moll'sTanzerin (Dancer),as props.[2][3]
The art experts who misidentify Brake's sculpture are all coded as effete, homosexual or Jewish, etc.[3]Susan Felleman suggests that the film's attempt at propaganda were weak, finding that its portrayals of a 'decadent' Berlin nightlife and the character of Benjamin Hecht (a Jewish art dealer) significantly more interesting than those Brake and his circle.[3]
References
[edit]- ^Hake p. 59–60
- ^abJacobs, Steven. (2017).Screening Statues: Sculpture in Film.Edinburgh University Press.ISBN978-1-4744-1091-5.OCLC1063797549.
- ^abcFelleman, Susan, author. (2 June 2015).Real objects in unreal situations: modern art in fiction films.ISBN978-1-78320-250-8.OCLC875151757.
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Bibliography
[edit]- Hake, Sabine (2001).Popular Cinema of the Third Reich.Austin: University of Texas Press.ISBN978-0-292-73458-6.
External links
[edit]
- 1941 films
- 1941 comedy-drama films
- German comedy-drama films
- Films of Nazi Germany
- German black-and-white films
- 1940s German-language films
- Films directed by Hans H. Zerlett
- Films about fictional painters
- Nazi propaganda films
- Films set in 1930
- Bavaria Film films
- Films set in the 1920s
- Films set in Bavaria
- 1940s German films
- Films scored by Leo Leux
- 1940s German film stubs