Stories in Motion: A Short Film on the Topic of Nazi Forced Labour

CODE: DE-SCI 1.37

Work:

In the practical part, participants will learn the basics of theater and performance under the guidance of professional theater educators. You will examine artistic works on the topics of gender/queerness and forced labor and work together to find your own artistic and performative expressions. This will allow you to reflect on and process the topic on an artistic level. You will use the site and the historical sources you have studied for this purpose. Your performative ideas will be developed into a short film.

Study theme

Participants will learn about the history of forced labor under National Socialism: Who was forced to work by the Nazis? For what purpose? And how was this justified? There will be guided tours and workshops on site and within the exhibition, complemented by an exploration of personal accounts and interviews with former forced laborers. There is also a particular focus on gender and queerness: What experiences did women in particular have? What role did relationships play in the everyday lives of forced laborers? Were there queer forced laborers, and what role did queerness play in the context of Nazi persecution?

Accommodation and food

Simple accommodation in apartments in Berlin. Possibly also in a hostel. The group will at least partially cater for itself. There is also a nice kitchen in the premises of the Documentation Centre and the possibility to eat as a group.

Location and leisure

The study camp will take place in Berlin-Schöneweide located in the south-east of the city.

Berlin offers many tourist opportunities with countless museums, exhibitions, sports facilities, flea markets, parks, but also very beautiful nature on the outskirts. Visiting the numerous sights of Berlin, hiking and swimming is possible. The documentation centre is located in Berlin-Schöneweide, directly on the Spree river, not far from the Wuhlheide park which has a big recreation area with a forest, an outdoor swimming pool and a lake.

Requirements: An interest in new perspectives and intercultural encounters, in German remembrance culture, and a desire to try your hand at theatre and performance. English language skills are necessary to understand the study part. Please note that: A motivation letter is required.