Stellar Moments of Humankind: The World of Stefan Zweig in Cinema

EVENT DESCRIPTION

The Hong Kong Arts Centre (HKAC) and the Goethe-Institut Hongkong co-present Stellar Moments of Humankind: The World of Stefan Zweig in Cinema at the Louis Koo Cinema, Hong Kong Arts Centre from 21 to 24 July 2022.

As the human race straddles an unprecedented pandemic, hostile divisions and conflicts, fake news (and real news) and digital opportunism, we also discover new strengths and beauty of moral courage and perseverance. This programme celebrates the Austrian master of literature, Stefan Zweig (1881 – 1942), who is famed for his steadfast pacifism, insistence on vaster understanding and intricate reading on passion and desire.

Zweig experienced two world wars. As a famous Jewish-Austrian writer, Zweig’s books were censored, vilified and destroyed by the Nazi in the 1930s and 1940s. He left his hometown, Vienna, to escape German persecution, living in England and America before settling in his final destination, Brazil. When Zweig was in exile, a journalist asked how the writer thought of Germany, he answered, “I will make no prophecy. I would not speak against Germany. I would never speak against any country.”

Zweig’s work has served as the basis of many film adaptations and inspirations. This programme introduces seven outstanding cinematic works that are based on his life and work – from his time (Angst by Hans Steinhoff) to the present (German Film Award-winning The Royal Game by Philipp Stölzl). There will be a special talk by Andreas Dahn, the visual effects artist of The Grand Budapest Hotel (dir. Wes Anderson).

Coinciding with the 80th anniversary of Zweig’s demise, this programme continues to celebrate his idealism – for he also created stellar literary moments for his past, present and future followers.