RIVER

A film by Jennifer Peedom and Joseph Nizeti
– Australia, 2021, 75 min. OVR and DF

A cinematic and musical journey exploring the ancient relationship between people and rivers. Texts by Robert Macfarlane (“Is A River Alive?”). Narrated by Willem Dafoe. Music by Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) as well as Jonny Greenwood and Radiohead.

Throughout history, rivers have shaped our landscapes and perceptions of our world; they have flowed through our cultures and dreams. RIVER takes the viewer on a journey through space and time. The film spans six continents, uses extraordinary contemporary cinematography, including satellite footage, and shows rivers on a scale and from perspectives never seen before. The combination of images, music and a sparse, poetic textbook creates a film that is both dreamlike and moving, honoring the wildness and power of rivers, but also acknowledging their vulnerability and force of nature, emphasizing the interconnectedness of people and
rivers. Rivers are not born as natural disasters, they can trigger one if humans constrict them too much.

“A poetically overwhelming film essay, composed of intoxicating images, orchestral music and texts spoken by Willem Dafoe.” (Süddeutsche Zeitung)

July 29 – Liliom – 8:30 p.m.

Photo: Chris Burkard, “At Glacier’s End” Iceland