Living Together

There was once a place in Vienna where people could study and learn how to live together. Under the auspices of the City of Vienna, modules were developed in an EU-funded joint project to make it easier for refugees – but also newcomers in general – to find their way around the city. Everyday life was to be self-determined with the help of refugees in the capacity of experts. The EU funding has meanwhile run out. What remains is a documentary by Thomas Fürhapter, who, with Judith Benedikt and Klemens Koscher with their steady camera, plows through the diverse course program, listens to the people working out possible solutions, and above all, looks at faces with real devotion. 

The devotion is because all of them are beautiful. One thinks of Warhol’s Screen Tests and wishes to dwell on their faces longer. Besides the things that people naturally carry along with them, each face also tells of an opening, a hope, an overcoming – otherwise they wouldn’t be there. In addition to curiosity and uncertainty, skepticism is written on many of their faces. Some are openly traumatized; there are tears. Others are there because “There are always things you don’t think about”. In one sequence using sign language, polygamy is discussed; a policewoman in plain clothes explains what “No Means No” is all about, and gestures of greeting as well as funeral rituals are on the program. There is also a discussion of toilet hygiene that gets out of hand. Using the toilet is a ritual too. There is much laughter: for example, about wearing the Austrian flag as a hijab, which might be a part of the headscarf debate worth considering. “People here are different, in Vienna you should even be polite to street sweepers.” “Do you know Freud? How did the founder of psychoanalysis end up in Vienna? The thoughts of the people here are very confused.”  

“Stop Look Listen” signs are often still found at U.S. railroad crossings. “Look Listen Learn” could be transferred to interpersonal relations. The conclusions that everyone might then draw for themselves depends on personal circumstances, but taking each other seriously would be a good start. (Regina Schlagnitweit)

Translation: John Wojtowicz


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How is Vienna’s culture mediated to migrants? The documentary feature entitled LIVING TOGETHER follows new migrants from different countries beginning with their first step into a new country. What expectations do migrants have of Vienna? What information and values are mediated to them in the “integration courses” and what is not? (production note)


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"LIVING TOGETHER is a precisely composed documentary that breaks down cultural barriers. The narrative not only focuses on the protagonists, but intentionally connects the viewer to a profound cultural experience that deconstructs stereotypes. With a simple but powerful cinematic language - one setting, multiple classrooms, immersive portraits, and a participatory approach to discussing difficult and uncomfortable topics - the film proposes an inclusive method to enable cultural inclusion."

(excerpt jury statement/ VIKTOR DOK.deutsch award for the best German-language documentary film at the 37th DOK.fest Munich, 2022)

Trailer
Orig. Title
Zusammenleben
Year
2022
Country
Austria
Duration
90 min
Category
Documentary
Orig. Language
Various
Subtitles
English, German
Downloads
LTG_03 (Image)
LTG_02 (Image)
LTG_01 (Image)
Credits
Director
Thomas Fuerhapter
Script
Thomas Fuerhapter
Cinematography
Judith Benedikt, Thomas Fuerhapter, Klemens Koscher
Sound
Andreas Hamza
Editing
Dieter Pichler
Sound
Ines Vorreiter
Editing
Thomas Fuerhapter, Philipp Mayer
Sound Design
Tong Zhang, Lara Zill
Sound Mix
Manuel Grandpierre
Dramaturgy
Bernadette Weigel
Production
Mischief Filmproduktion, Electric Shadows Laufbilderzeugungsanstalt
Executive Producer
Ralph Wieser, Thomas Fuerhapter
Production Manager
Susanne Berger
Supported by
Filmfonds Wien, ORF Film/Fernseh-Abkommen, Zukunftsfonds Republik Österreich, Bundesministerium für Kunst, Kultur, öffentlicher Dienst und Sport / Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport
VFX
Philipp Mayer, Klaus Pamminger
Available Formats
DCP 2K flat
Aspect Ratio
1 : 1,19
Sound Format
Dolby 5.1.
Digital File (prores, h264)
Festivals (Selection)
2022
Graz - Diagonale, Festival des österreichischen Films (Best Cinematography)
Wien - this human world International Human Rights Film Festival
Kassel Dokumentarfilm & Videofestival
Duisburg - Duisburger Filmwoche
Belgrade - Free Zone Human Rights Film Festival
Freistadt - Festival Der Neue Heimatfilm
Sarajevo - Int. Film Festival
München - Int. Dokumentarfilmfestival (VIKTOR DOK.deutsch award for the best German-language documentary film)
2023
Bjelovar - DOKU.ART Festival