Death in Venice

DEATH IN VENICE

Morte a Venezia

Italy, 1971, 130 min

Director: Luchino Visconti

Starring: Dirk Bogard, Björn Andersen, Silvana Mangano, Mark Burns, Romolo Valli, Nora Ricci, Marisa Berenson, Carola Andre, Franco Fabrizzi

"Golden Palm Branch" of the Cannes Film Festival, "Oscar" award, four awards of the British Film Academy (BAFTA), "David di Donatello" award

"He who has seen beauty with his eyes has already been given over to death. " Adam von Platen.

Were these words what Professor Gustav von Aschenbach had in mind when he decided to choose Venice as the place to heal his soul's torment?

Is there another city in the world where you can wander aimlessly along the canals, gazing into eternity reflected in the green waters of the lagoon? Where else can you get lost in the labyrinth of narrow streets, enjoying the dazzling beauty of water- and weather-beaten architecture? Where else in the world is it possible to inhale the smell of sea herbs and rot, while admiring this stone giant, which is heavily placed in the sea?

Where else can the weary, bewildered musician want to go, longing for peaceful inspiration and silence to experience the divine harmony of sound? Feasting his eyes on the exquisite luxury of the city, casually glancing at the people around him, he suddenly freezes in surprise, overwhelmed by an incredible vision...

It is love - unwanted, impossible and yet born love of an artist for the ultimate manifestation of Beauty, human love - for unimaginable, imagined happiness. An excruciating combination of shame, awkwardness, pain, passion and extremely sweet yet forbidden pleasure. …

Meanwhile, the ancient city is engulfed by the sirocco, a howling wind saturated with African sand dust and suffocating Mediterranean humidity.

There was an unbearable steam in the streets; the air was so dense that the scents swirled in it, but could not dissipate. Wind-driven water had taken over St. Mark's Square, ominously encircling the Doge's Palace. And in its wake, the cruel Asiatic cholera had come to Venice. And death.

In this existential retro drama, three outstanding artists of the 20th century - Luchino Visconti, Thomas Mann and Gustav Mahler - help to understand and feel the image, soul and spirit of Venice.

Even after more than half a century, the phenomenon of the film is able to surprise with an absolute immersive effect: exquisitely complete, with a realistic smell of the decay and collapse of Venice, which highlights the painful beauty of the decaying decadence era at the moment of the decline of the belle époque.

"Death in Venice" is not just a masterpiece, but, combined with brilliant music, luxurious interiors and an impeccable ensemble of actors, is a truly outstanding and unique work of art.

A beauty that ceases to be a comfort and becomes an irresistible temptation - devastating and uplifting at the same time.

"I didn't choose "Death in Venice", but it chose me. I would say that the theme of this short story is still relevant and can be reinterpreted as the theme of the "death of art" in an unequal struggle with life or as the theme of "the supremacy of politics over aesthetics". » Luchino Visconti.

Original language: English*

The translation of the film is provided in YOUR audio headphones* in Latvian, Russian.

Agent's fee of 9.68% of the price of each ticket is applied to the tickets!

The event can be attended: from the age of 16+

Original language: English

Translation of the film: provided in YOUR audio headphones* in Latvian and Russian

Free admission: not provided

Event duration: 130 min

Entrance to the event: 15 minutes before the start of the film

*Plugins are required to hear the translation, which you can get for a €1 pledge. After the end of the show, when you return the plug, you will get €1 back at the exit from the auditorium.

Organizer: Baltic Pearl Theater Agency BDR