brigitta muntendorf

Why We Play - new documentary film about Ensemble Modern feat. MELENCOLIA is out now!

“Essential viewing for all avant-gardists — and for anyone who wants to understand them.” Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”

ENSEMBLE MODERN – WHY WE PLAY is the first feature-length documentary about the work of Ensemble Modern, one of the world’s leading ensembles for contemporary music. The film offers an intimate insight into the ensemble’s creative processes and reveals music as a collective, physical experience. The film also documents the world premiere of the music theatre production MELENCOLIA, featuring behind-the-scenes footage, making-of material, and excerpts from the premiere performance. Following its acclaimed world premiere at the Lichter Filmfest Frankfurt, where it won the Audience Award, the film has been captivating audiences at renowned film festivals and in cinemas.

11. July 2026, 11:30 am

Panel Discussion | Bayreuth

International Conference in cooperation with the University of Bayreuth and TU Dortmund, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Bayreuth Festival and the 50th anniversary of the Richard Wagner Museum.

15. July 2026, 9:00 pm

WHY WE PLAY | See the Sound Festival | Odeon | Cologne

Cologne premiere | Q&A with Thorsten Schütte, direction

19. July 2026, 5:00 pm

WHY WE PLAY | Wiesbaden | Calligari Kino

Wiesbaden premiere, Q&A with Thorsten Schütte and musicians of Ensemble Modern.

16. August 2026, 11:00 am

WHY WE PLAY | Delphi Lux Kino | Berlin

Berlin premiere, Q&A with Thorsten Schütte, direction.

25. September 2026, 5:30 pm

Bundestreffen26 der Freien Darstellenden Künste | National Conference of the Independent Performing Arts | HAU | Berlin

“Don’t stop me now”
Panel discussion “Kunst in überhitzten Zeiten“ / Fonds Darstellende Künste

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