Werner Schroeter was one of the most significant proponents of New German Cinema. Schroeter was diagnosed with cancer in 2006. In her film, Elfi Mikesch, who photographed a number of Schroeter’s films and who collaborated closely with him to create his vision, provides us with an intimate insight into Schroeter’s artistic output during the remaining four years of his life.

Three actors - Lizzy, Marlon, and Ohboy - navigate city life between rehearsals, nightlife, and alienation. Marlon, new to town, struggles with his role and babysitting. Lizzy chases fame yet finds only transactional glamour in a club. Ohboy, adept yet trapped, drifts comically through urban traps. Linked by rehearsals for “City as Prey,” three episodes chronicle loneliness, friendship, and survival.

In 1988 the British director Cynthia Beatt, who is based in Berlin, embarked on a journey into little-known territory. She filmed Tilda Swinton as they followed the Berlin Wall, capturing the inward-looking West Berlin and the over-the-Wall views of East Berlin. Today “Cycling the Frame“ is a rare historic document and Tilda Swinton, who was honoured with the Oscar last year, is one of the world’s most admired performers. In June 2009, Cynthia Beatt and Tilda Swinton re-traced the line of the Wall that once isolated Berlin from East and West Germany. “The Invisible Frame“ describes this journey, the print of a second foot, a Wall’s fall and 21 years later, through varied landscapes, this time on both sides of the former Wall. The stagnation of organic growth that characterized the areas separated by the Wall, is now replaced by unchecked nature and building development. The rhythmic interaction of fixed camera and tracking shots combine in a vibrant orbiting of Berlin, visually intertwining west and east. Tilda Swinton’s personal reflections are integrated as inner monologues and complete the film’s soundscape composed by Simon Fisher Turner, who collaborated with Derek Jarman and Tilda Swinton in the 80’s.

Werner Schroeter directed this dark and surreal tale of a man determined to save a lost lover from a grim fate at the hands of a violent mob. The city of Santa Maria is falling into chaos as an armed military faction is poised to take power in a coup d'etat. Ossorio used to call Santa Maria home, and he has returned in its darkest hour to find the woman he loves, hoping to rescue her from the violence that is lurks around the corner. As Ossorio searches for his love, he meets Victoria in a shabby hotel, who in turn introduces him to her father Barcala, who for the right price is willing to take Ossorio and another passenger away on his boat. While Ossorio is willing to pay Barcala what he wants, can he find the mysterious woman before the ship sets sail?