Film series WS 2025-26: Film and Revenge in Weimar and Kassel

As a cooperation between the Institute of Philosophy at the University of Kassel and the Graduate College in Weimar, we are turning to three films in this film series that deal with the phenomenon of revenge in different cinematic contexts: feminist revenge, class revenge and the revenge of nature. The starting point is the idea that revenge is determined by a fundamental ambivalence: on the one hand, the act of revenge is retribution for violence suffered; on the other hand, this retribution can only be exercised through the repetition of violence. This repetition can be guided by strong affects and emotions such as anger and hatred. Revenge is opposed to a legal system that objectifies retribution for violence in the form of lawful punishment. However, if the legal system fails by itself becoming the source of new social violence, revenge can also become a necessity or the last possible means of achieving justice.

Our series kicked off on October 29 in Weimar with the film "Revenge" (2017) by French director Coralie Fargeat, who has been one of the best-known female directors of the body horror genre since her film "The Substance" (2024). In the second event on January 14 in Weimar, we will explore the topic of class revenge using the film "La cérémonie" (1995) by French director Claude Chabrol. With "Grizzly Man" (2005) by German director Werner Herzog, we will conclude our film series with a screening on February 4 in Kassel on the question of "nature's revenge".

Ulrike Wirth and Laurien Wüst (Graduiertenkolleg Medienanthropologie, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar) will introduce and guide us through Grizzly Man on February 4.

October 29: - in Weimar at the mon ami cinema at Goetheplatz 11

Revenge (2017), directed by Coralie Fargeat

Film talk between Alexandra Colligs (Kassel) and Gertrud Koch (Berlin)

January 14: - in Weimar at the mon ami cinema at Goetheplatz 11

La cérémonie (1995), D: Claude Chabrol

Introduced by Vanessa Franke and Lorenzo Gineprini (both Weimar)

February 4 - in Kassel at the Kiez-Kino in Erzbergerstraße 12

Grizzly Man (2005), directed by Werner Herzog

Introduced by Ulrike Wirth and Laurien Simon Wüst (both Weimar)