Harun Farocki, Pioneer of Essay Film, Dies at 70
Harun Farocki, the influential filmmaker, artist, and writer, has died at age 70, with Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac confirming the news. Born in 1944 in German-annexed Czechoslovakia, he moved to Berlin to study at the Deutsche Film-und Fernsehakademie Berlin from 1966 to 1968. Farocki produced nearly 90 works, including three feature films, documentaries, and essay films, establishing himself as a pioneer of the essay film genre. He famously described his work as being 'against the cinema and against the television.' His notable installation Deep Play (2007), presented at Documenta 12, analyzed footage from the 2006 World Cup in Germany across 12 monitors. Additionally, from 1974 to 1984, he served as editor and author for the magazine Filmkritik in München, contributing to his prolific writing career.
Key facts
- Harun Farocki died at age 70
- Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac confirmed his death
- He was born in 1944 in German-annexed Czechoslovakia
- He studied at Deutsche Film-und Fernsehakademie Berlin from 1966 to 1968
- He made close to 90 films, including features and documentaries
- He was a pioneer of the essay film genre
- He presented Deep Play (2007) at Documenta 12
- He was editor and author of Filmkritik from 1974 to 1984
Entities
Artists
- Harun Farocki
Institutions
- Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac
- Deutsche Film-und Fernsehakademie Berlin
- Documenta 12
- Filmkritik
Locations
- Czechoslovakia
- Berlin
- Germany
- München