The Empty Center (1998)

The Empty Center (1998) poster

Steyerl’s film traces the impact of an influx of transnational companies on the city dwellers of Berlin in post-reunification Germany. The effect of the changing economy and politics on the city and its inhabitants is echoed through their physical relocation to its outer edges. In 1990, squatters proclaim a socialist republic on the death strip. Eight years later, the new headquarters of Mercedes Benz are built in the same location. The film makes use of slow super-impositions to uncover a journey across changing architectural and cultural boundaries. "The Empty Centre" tries to give a voice and a history to those who continue to be marginalised by the simultaneous dismantling and reconstruction of the borders which they are trying to cross.

Director: Hito Steyerl
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 62 min
Release Date:

Cast

Music: Felix Mendelssohn, Friedrich Hollaender
Language: Deutsch
Original Language: de

Keywords

woman director

More Films by Director: Hito Steyerl
More Films in Genre: Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Empty Center about?
Steyerl’s film traces the impact of an influx of transnational companies on the city dwellers of Berlin in post-reunification Germany. The effect of the changing economy and politics on the city and its inhabitants is echoed through their physical relocation to its outer edges. In 1990, squatters proclaim a socialist republic on the death strip. Eight years later, the new headquarters of Mercedes Benz are built in the same location. The film makes use of slow super-impositions to uncover a journey across changing architectural and cultural boundaries. "The Empty Centre" tries to give a voice and a history to those who continue to be marginalised by the simultaneous dismantling and reconstruction of the borders which they are trying to cross.
Who directed The Empty Center?
The Empty Center was directed by Hito Steyerl.
Who stars in The Empty Center?
The Empty Center stars Dong Yang, Huan Zhu.
How long is The Empty Center?
The Empty Center has a runtime of 1h 2m (62 minutes).
What genre is The Empty Center?
The Empty Center is a Documentary film.