Director/Writer: Paul-Julien Robert
Synopsis: A documentary uncovering the Friedrichshof commune of
1970s Austria – a place where men and women lived under no restrictions or
institutions and raised dozens of children as a collective. One such child –
now 32 – director, writer Paul-Julien Robert, looks back on the experience,
interviewing his own mother, potential fathers and surrogate siblings.
Paul-Julien Robert’s brave and
disturbing analysis of his childhood, his parents’ youthful sexuality and the
commune in which he was brought up in deserves multiple accolades. Bringing to
light an eerie history, of which he was at the centre of, would be a difficult
task for even the most practiced filmmakers. Robert’s structure is masterful,
studying the many trials and tribulations of the Friedrichshof commune in a
tight 93 minutes. Problems only exist for the non-German speaking audience, for
whom many photographed pamphlets and articles will be lost in translation.
The prologue’s brief introduction
and explanation of the commune shows it as a free-loving estate, where the 70’s
vibe and ideology lingers in the air like a pleasant incense. The idea behind
the commune was that no one felt under a system of control. Stemming from this
notion was the belief that children born there should be taken care of by
multiple adults, leaving the child to feel freer without the authority of an
identifiable parental figure. Unfortunately, this drastic dissolution of social
institutions affected many of the children (and some of the adult members),
leaving dozens scarred by the experience.
The focus begins on Paul’s mother
who was an extremely active member of the commune, nudge nudge, wink wink. Her
frivolity left the identity of Paul’s father ambiguous for many years – a
question later brought up. An incredibly open woman, his mother never defies
her son’s questioning, even when it means her discussing a very explicit aspect
of her time in the commune. Kudos to Robert who listens intently despite
hearing facts no son/daughter would ever want to.
As his mother was absent for
parts of Friedrichshof’s development she saw little of the abuse that went on.
Being one of the few adult members interviewed we do not have much information
or opinions on how the parents reacted to children’s humiliation and
abandonment. Seeing examples of this by way of archive footage is highly distressing
at points. The children are made to perform in order to reveal their freedom –
ironically opposed in the children’s eyes. The ringmaster of all this was the
despicable Otto Mühl.
Under Mühl’s orders the children had
to dance, sing and even sleep with his wife and him (boys for his wife, girls
for himself) as a way of educating and expressing themselves. Shifting from his
mother as the focal point, to his potential fathers, to a few interviews with
fellow “surrogate siblings”, the most intriguing and eye-opening analysis of
the commune is Mühl. Given power from the surrounding members, Mühl’s
ego erupted, leaving a sociopathic tyrant as the leader. Once this figure is
discovered in amongst the crowds of the commune he stands out. Emphasising his
notoriety gives the documentary and villain, making the drama all the more
pungent.
Leaving you with clenched teeth
and balled up fists at the sight and mention of Mühl, Robert’s film has power.
It also a great deal of poignancy as it largely involves the unearthing of many
repressed memories and emotions. Robert is the least open of all the “cast” yet
staying headstrong for a great deal of the film keeps the documentary
thoughtful and measured.
****
Also posted on LiveForFilms
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