NNF 2015

Margarete

17/05/15

Margarete was developed by Janek Turkowski in 2010 after he stumbled upon 64 reels of home film in an East German market. Margarete takes the viewer on the journey of amateur film-maker Margarete Ruhbe who lived in the Eastern Bloc near the Polish border. In the film, Turkowski shares her story and he talks about how he edited her home movies to create a sensitive portrait of a woman's life against the background of communism.

Utilising the layout of the Puppet Theatre to his advantage, artist Janek Turkowski places pillows and cushions surrounding the small projector at the centre of the room. He encourages the audience to make themselves comfortable, offers tea and makes the stage feel as if we are in his living room as friends who have been apart for far too long.

As the film starts rolling, Turkowski's live commentary pushes the film to come to life - his relaxed attitude and curiosity encourages the audience to relax, and to engage.  Throughout the short 55 minutes the connection between himself and his muse is unravelled through his sheer admiration of her work as an amateur film-maker. Slowly but surely, the purpose of the film is revealed to be almost autobiographical as all clips show Margarete at different stages of her life, whether that be celebrating with her close friends and colleagues, or going on walks with her twin through blooming parks in summer.

As the film comes to a close, the narrative supplied stops abruptly. Turkowski duly notes the age of Margrete, his eyes turning glassy at the thought of her condition at the time of filming. The silence held over the stage is the perfect opportunity to reflect upon the relationship between the characters of the film and ourselves as outsiders. It is clear the films represent the necessity of appreciating life at its fullest, whilst accepting and relishing the journey life takes us on.

10/10