
In Heinrich von Kleist's "Penthesilea", war, the death of love and erotic cannibalism merge into a battle of the sexes. The drama, which was published in 1808, was not premiered until 70 years later. It is considered almost unplayable. Edith Clever and Hans Jürgen Syberberg have remembered that Kleist's "Penthesilea" was already read as a monologue in the time of its author and supplemented by pantomime on stage. In November 1987, they continued this tradition at the Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord in Paris: Edith Clever performed the play without lines and role changes, as a single long poem.
Directed by Hans-Jürgen Syberberg, Penthesilea leans on a strong ensemble — Edith Clever — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 1989.
Read More on the Blog
Loading reviews…
Wandered away from his asylum, an amnesiac World War I veteran falls in love with a music hall star but his amnesia makes it difficult to last.
Get weekly picks and blog posts in your inbox.
Live availability isn't tracked for this title yet — try these popular platforms: