Die Nachtigall - Der grausame Sohn

A son tied his mother to a chair for over a year to take revenge on her. Inspired by this story, which director Rosa von Praunheim found in the New York newspaper, he created the radio play “Die Nachtigall” (The Nightingale) in 1986. At the time, he improvised together with street singer Friedrich Steinhauer, who called himself “the nightingale of Ramersdorf,” and Luzi Kryn, who became known through his film “Die Bettwurst” (The Bed Sausage). Now, more than 30 years later, Rosa von Praunheim has filmed his material with singer and actor Hubert Wild and the eccentric former teacher Ellen Reichardt, who has already appeared in several of his films. The film was shot during the coronavirus crisis and was mainly shot in Rosa von Praunheim's Berlin living room and in his neighbors' elegant apartment. The film is independently produced and an example of how imagination can sometimes replace money. With his unmistakable signature style, Praunheim mixes theatrical scenes with autobiographical references and emotional directness. Music, gestures, and colors come together to form a cinematic meditation on life paths, transience, and the longing for reconciliation. THE NIGHTINGALE – THE CRUEL SON premiered at the 2021 International Hof Film Festival, where it received widespread acclaim. Critics praised the openness and intensity with which Praunheim transforms personal experiences into universal themes.