Papilio ludo, ergo sum (I play the butterfly, therefore I am)

“I play the butterfly, therefore I am.” How can we fundamentally reconsider our understanding of non-human beings? The films of this program feature human performers in the roles of animals and plants. The genres and approaches differ, from practical attempts to adopt the perspective of butterflies in STUDIES ON THE ECOLOGY OF DRAMA (Eija-Liisa Ahtila, Finland 2017) to a drug dealer in DEAR ANIMAL (Maha Maamoun, Egypt 2016) who transforms into a goat. The title character from F ZWISCHEN DEN STUFEN DES ORGANISCHEN (Sylvie Boisseau & Frank Westermeyer, D/CH 2021) roams through Berlin on all fours and experiences her human freedom in the motionless position of a tree. And to start the evening is Karø Goldt’s DIANTHUS (D/A 2007), which challenges our habitual perceptions with tulips in abstraction. (Sylvie Boisseau & Frank Westermeyer)

Films:
dianthus Karø Goldt D/A 2007 Digital file without dialogue 3 min.
Studies on the Ecology of Drama Eija-Liisa Ahtila Finland 2017 DCP finn. OmeU 28 min.
Dear Animal Maha Maamoun Ägypten 2016 DCP OmeU 25 min.
f zwischen den Stufen des Organischen Sylvie Boisseau & Frank Westermeyer
D/CH 2021 DCP OmeU 21 min.