Ruth Beckermann – Mutzenbacher (2022)
Quote:
There is not much that Ruth Beckermann brings to her film: An empty former coffin factory, a few lights and reflectors, a camera, a piano and a huge rose-gold canapé in the style of the Belle Epoque, as well as the wickedly titled book – and, of course, above all, men. Lots and lots of men. Old, young, middle-aged. Bourgeois and civil servant types, pensioners and washed-up people of indeterminate age, students and “young professionals”, people who have lost their way and smart up-and-comers. In between, the former director of the Austrian Film Museum, an ex-bodybuilder or martial artist, a linnet and various other specimens of the male species.
And then there is this book that unites them all. “Josefine Mutzenbacher – Die Geschichte einer Wienerischen Dirne” (Josefine Mutzenbacher – The Story of a Viennese Harlot), published anonymously in 1906 and repeatedly attributed to Felix Salten, the author of “Bambi” (of all things!), is a – one can hardly describe it differently – sex ripper that has little to do with frivolity but a great deal to do with pornographic literature. And which, from today’s point of view, must be read more critically because of its abusive character and the young age (the memoirs begin at the age of five and go up to the age of 14) at which the protagonist had her first sexual experiences and encounters. No wonder, then, that “Die Mutzenbacher” was only removed from the list of writings harmful to young people in Germany in 2017. Even today, the passages read aloud from the book are quite enough to make even seasoned guys visibly embarrassed.
7.45GB | 1h 40m | 1920×1080 | mkv
Language(s):German
Subtitles:English,French