Seeing Is Believing III w/ Jan Soldat

The third edition of Seeing Is Believing is dedicated to the work of Jan Soldat, whose mostly documentary films deal with the representability of diverse sexual practices and preferences. On the borderline between self-examination and the desire to be seen, Jan Soldat’s films closely investigate the unfulfilled promises of truth in the documentary gaze: What we don’t see, we can hardly recognise, and what we recognise is already a truth in itself – one truth of many.

Screening:

Geliebt, Filmuniversität Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF, 2010
Documentary, 15’26”, 16mm, colour, 1:1.33, 25fps, mono, German with Engl. subtitles

Life is about two things: 1. being loved and 2. not being alone. But what if people are not enough or else too much? Geliebt is not a film about the pros and cons of emotional and sexual bonds with animals, but rather about the relationship of humans and animals between love and dependence.

Nullo, Jan Soldat, 2021
Documentary, 15’31“, miniDV, colour, 4:3, 25fps, mono, German with Engl. subtitles

Nullo is a fascinating portrait of an individual with penis dysmorphia who appears to be much happier and content without the very appendage that provides many men – especially gay men – with their entire raison d’être.“ (Bruce LaBruce / SixpackFilm)

Der Unfertige, Jan Soldat, 2013
Documentary, 47’43”, miniDV, colour, 4:3, 25fps, mono, German with Engl. subtitles

“Can you describe yourself?”

“Odenwald-Gay … or Gollum … or Klaus! 60 years old … gay … slave!”

Der Unfertige is a documentary portrait of Klaus Johannes Wolf, who decided to live as a slave. Chained on his bed, he talks about nudity, his parents and the desire to become the perfect servant.

The conversation will be held in German, questions can be asked in English. There’s a limited capacity of seats. Doors open 7.30pm, screening starts at 8.00pm. The current COVID-19 pandemic containment regulations apply.

Seeing Is Believing is a monthly screening and conversation series dedicated to artists’ moving image. The programme is curated by Lukas Ludwig and Johanna Markert and realised with the kind support of Anorak e. V. members.