„Exilio – in the foreign“

Brecht spent 15 years of his life in exile. A drastic biographical experience shared by millions of people in the past and in the present. „Exilio“ gives expression to the reality of all those who find themselves forced to leave their homeland. With texts, music and an audiovisual scenography that draws on documentary and artistic elements. The multi-award-winning film actor Alex Brendemühl, the star guitarist Nora Buschmann, the director Lalo García and the producer Txell Sabartés are also connected to this theme through their own family stories, which took place during the Spanish Civil War, the Franco dictatorship, the Second World War and the former GDR.

Nora Buschmann understands „exile“ from three different perspectives: „On the one hand, I was born in East Berlin and grew up with the Wall. Exile was always present, many friends were forced to leave or flee to West Berlin for political reasons. Some were in prison. On the other hand, my stepfather was a Polish communist. Many of his comrades and relatives I met fought in the war. Finally, I lived in Greece and in Argentina. That made me understand what it means to make a place for yourself, to learn new languages and new customs.“ Alex Brendemühl’s biography is also marked by exile experiences: „My great-grandfather, was president of the Catalan Court of Cassation during the Republic. Because of his convictions and his post, he was forced into exile. For the same reason, my grandfather was in prison, he too was considered a „red and Catalan nationalist“. In contrast, my father had to leave the GDR when he was just 18 years old because he did not conform to the regime’s ideological standards“.

A pool of historical texts and music penned by authors and composers who were themselves forced to leave their country in the past becomes a mirror for the present, where thousands and thousands of people still suffer the same fate every day.

Nora Buschmann

Nora Buschmann was born in Berlin. Today she is one of the most important international soloists of the classical guitar. She is regularly invited to renowned festivals, performs with orchestras, gives master classes and works as a juror. Nora Buschmann is keen to constantly expand the repertoire for her instrument. To do this, she spends as much time as possible in the regions where the most interesting guitar traditions come from. For example, she lived in Thessaloniki for several years, or explored the guitar music of Latin America through extensive tours. In her concerts, she often plays pieces written for classical guitar in collaboration with contemporary composers.

Alex Brendemühl

Alex Brendemühl is a German-Spanish actor with a remarkable filmography. He shoots in four European languages: Spanish, English, French and German. He has won several awards in Spain and France and participated in renowned film festivals in Cannes, Berlin, Venice and Donostia. Alex Brendemühl is also a screenwriter and director of short films. „Rumbo a peor“ was included in the Official Selection of the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. The film subsequently toured film festivals around the world and won three awards.

Literary concept and recitation:

Alex Brendemühl,

Musical concept, guitar and vocals:

Nora Buschmann,

Audiovisual part:

Lalo García,

Production:

Txell Sabartés,

Texts:

Ángel González, Antonio Machado, José Agustín Goytisolo, Angelina Muñiz-Huberman, Rafael Alberti, Blas de Otero, José Hierro, Salvador Espriu, León Felipe, Luis Cernuda, Jaime Gil de Biedma, María Zambrano, Bertolt Brecht,

Music:

Ricardo Cianferoni, Manuel de Falla, Miquel, Llobet, Federico García Lorca, Joaquín Rodrigo, Isaac Álbeniz, Eduardo Sáinz de la Maza, Ferran Ros, Jorge Cardoso, Antonio Ruiz-Pipó,

Pictures:

Josep Bartolí, Louis Llech, Josep Narro, Manuel Moros, Samuel Nacar

Bild:

Lalo García

A production by Voodoo Productions. Supported by the European Observatory of Memories EUROM.