Film

Robert Wilson and the Civil Wars

1987 · 1h 30m · Documentary

IMDb

8.1

Robert Wilson and the Civil Wars is an in-depth documentation of Robert Wilson’s ambitious attempt to stage an epic, twelve-hour, multinational opera for the 1984 Summer Olympics. Filmmaker Howard Brookner follows the avant-garde theatre director as he confronts a hectic work schedule, funding difficulties and relentless international travel in attempt to complete his preparations. The film examines Wilson’s unique theatrical style during The Civil Wars: A Tree Is Best Measured When It Is Down, which involves the continual creation of evocative stage sets, owing to a unique juxtaposition of movement, sound, text and image. Known for his precise, painterly images Wilson’s work derives more from visual art than the orthodox literary traditions of theatre. As a result, Wilson often challenges actors to perform in a boldly minimalist style, as well as collaborating with non-actors, such as young autistic poet Christopher Knowles in Einstein on the Beach.

Ingrid Andree

Gavin Bryars

Philip Glass

Heiner Müller

Robert Wilson

• Howard BrooknerDirector · Producer
• Markus TrebitschProducer
• Robert WilsonProducer
• Orin WechsbergProducer
• Michelle BahlkeEditor

Release date

September 14, 1987

Status

Released

Original language

English

Runtime

1h 30m

Genres

Documentary