Reigen 2012
Helmut Wiesner's 2012 adaptation of Arthur Schnitzler's scandalous play *Reigen* transports viewers back to the electrifying Berlin of 1920, where a daring series of ten erotic encounters ignited one of the most notorious theater controversies of the century.
Director: Helmut Wiesner
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Reigen (2012) about?
*Reigen* weaves ten intimate, interconnected vignettes exploring fleeting relationships across Berlin's post-war society in 1920. From a soldier and a chambermaid to a married couple and their mistress, Schnitzler's narrative exposes the hypocrisy and desperation beneath the city's glittering surface. The film adapts the play's structure into a visceral, almost cinematic experience that lingers long after the final scene.
Who directed Reigen?
Reigen (2012) was directed by Helmut Wiesner, a filmmaker known for bringing classic theatrical works to the screen with bold, atmospheric style.
Who stars in Reigen?
The lead roles are played by Martina Spitzer, Chris Pichler, Jürgen Maurer, Katharina Straßer, and Petra Morzé, delivering performances that balance raw emotion with nuanced restraint.
Is Reigen (2012) worth watching?
While unrated and niche, *Reigen* offers a fascinating glimpse into early 20th-century theater's most infamous scandal, making it essential for fans of provocative drama. Its themes of desire and social critique remain relevant, though its slow-burn pacing may not appeal to everyone. Still, the cultural significance alone makes it a compelling watch for history and drama enthusiasts.
How long is Reigen?
Runtime details are not listed for Reigen (2012).
About Reigen (2012) — The Scandalous 1920 Play That Defined a Generation of Theater
Helmut Wiesner's 2012 adaptation of Arthur Schnitzler's scandalous play *Reigen* transports viewers back to the electrifying Berlin of 1920, where a daring series of ten erotic encounters ignited one of the most notorious theater controversies of the century. With performances so tumultuous they led to riots and a trial, Schnitzler's work became a lightning rod for moral outrage, eventually prompting the author to withdraw it from public staging until 1982. Decades later, *Reigen* still pulses with provocative energy, offering a raw, unflinching examination of desire, class, and social hypocrisy through interconnected vignettes that blur the lines between strangers and lovers. Wiesner's direction infuses the material with a gritty, almost cinematic intensity, capturing the feverish atmosphere of post-war Europe where societal norms were as fragile as the relationships they sought to regulate.
Starring Martina Spitzer, Chris Pichler, and Jürgen Maurer, this 2012 staging balances theatrical bravura with intimate character studies, revealing how fleeting connections between cabaret performers, soldiers, and aristocrats expose the fragility of bourgeois morality. The film's themes—lust, power, and the performative nature of intimacy—feel as urgent today as they did a century ago, making *Reigen* a compelling artifact of early 20th-century avant-garde drama reimagined for modern audiences.