The Action Art of Hermann Nitsch from Past to Present

A retrospective on Hermann Nitsch, Actionist and painter, composer and stage designer. He is one of the most renowned Austrian artists of today and nevertheless still divides the art world as before. Nitsch belongs beside Günter Brus, Otto Mühl and Rudolf Schwawrzkogler to the most important main actors of Vienese Actionism. At the beginning of the sixties he carried out his first 'Actions' in Vienna, which involved several trials and three terms of imprisonment. His main work, the "Orgy Mystery Theatre", inspired by Greek mythology, as well as by Antonin Artaud or Sigmund Freud, has been introducing, building up and carrying on all art forms since this time. The documentary includes a 4-hour overview of his Actions from 1962-2003, as well as an interview from 2005.

Directed by —, The Action Art of Hermann Nitsch from Past to Present leans on a strong ensemble — Hermann Nitsch — 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 documentary titles of 2006.