Stilleben

This is a peculiar tale about the trivialities of life when they are turned into art, or kitsch if you like. On a terrace in summer a few peple move in a kind of game around a little girl. Here we have a suitor who lives next door, a slim elegant and confused young man; the housekeeper, solid, matronly, all-powerful; the mother, a silly woman. The male guest, a huntsman, is waiting for Valbert; they want to go hunting, at least the huntsman does. Up to now he is annoyed by the guest who only has eyes for the little girl and wants to marry her. Valbert has made himself scarce - perhaps he does not like the huntsman - but now he is home again. Before this the huntsman and the suitor bandy a few words, quarrel and make it up again. The housekeeper has been horrid, in particular to the girl and her mother. The mother has acted stupidly. Such people do not exist - oh yes, they do ... They talked about trivialities on the terrace. Well perhaps not trivialities but about art and its terms. There are various kinds of receptivity in different kinds of listeners. But wait, the story is not finished yet ... the characters are as graceful as in the rococo period but the language they use is sloppy. They perform a strange cotillion which does not look like dancing but has certain set movements. Wait a bit longer; all the women except the little girl are played by men, easily recognizable as men although delicately made up. The admirer, the suitor is made up as woman and is very feminine in his speech and actions. The father is a dwarf. Somebody wants to kill the suitor ... A shot rings out ... Wait even longer, it is still not finished ... no, I shall not give the game away ... but Count Basie and tears come as a relief ... STILL LIFE is an odd picture of the lives we may be leading. (Verleiher-Text)