A pornographic classic, its planned film adaptation, and the casting of male actors aged 16 to 99. The result is not an “adults-only” film but a poignant and sensitive performative documentary. Besides reflecting the life of the Viennese prostitute Josephine Mutzenbacher, readings of excerpts from the book introduce us to the diverse participants in the film’s casting, as well as their attitudes, experiences, and intimate histories.
The tale of the Viennese prostitute Josephine Mutzenbacher – inquisitive, submissive, and well below the age of consent – is a pornographic classic and a problematic article of cultural heritage. At a casting call for a new film adaptation, various male candidates aged 16 to 99 read, improvise, sing, discuss, and reflect on selected excerpts from the book, published over a century ago. Documentary filmmaker Ruth Beckermann works with the book as a tool through which men of different generations, nationalities, and sexual orientations can share their own intimate histories. Part performative concept, part original adaptation, part strategic and yet subtle reversal of gender roles.
Šárka Jelínek Gmiterková
100 min / DCP
Director Ruth Beckermann
/ Screenplay Ruth Beckermann, Claus Philipp
/ Dir. of Photography Johannes Hammel
/ Music VALIE EXPORT, Ingrid/monsti Wiener
/ Sound Andreas Hamza
/ Editor Dieter Pichler
/ Producer Ruth Beckermann
/ Production Ruth Beckermann Filmproduktion
/ Contact Austrian Films
Ruth Beckermann (1952, Vienna). Selected filmography: Homemad(e) (2001, doc.), American Passages (2011, doc.), Those Who Go Those Who Stay (2013, doc.), The Dreamed Ones (Die Geträumten, 2016, doc.), The Waldheim Waltz (Waldheims Walzer, 2018, doc.), MUTZENBACHER (2022, doc.).
Austrian Films
Stiftgasse 6, 1070, Vienna
Austria
Phone: +43 152 633 23
E-mail: [email protected]
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