''Moses und Aron'', known in

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

as ''Moses and Aaron'', is a 1975 film by the French filmmaking duo of

Jean-Marie Straub Jean-Marie is both a given name and a surname. Notable people with the name include: * Jean-Marie Abgrall (born 1950), a French psychiatrist, criminologist, specialist in forensic medicine, cult expert, and graduate in criminal law * Jean-Marie C ...

and Danièle Huillet based on the unfinished

opera Opera is a form of theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically a collaboration between a composer and a libr ...

of the same title by Arnold Schoenberg. During its 1975 run at US festivals, it was also known as ''Aaron and Moses'', and was frequently reviewed as such. It is one of three films based on Schoenberg works Straub and Huillet directed, the other two being ''Einleitung zu Arnold Schoenbergs Begleitmusik zu einer Lichtspielscene'', a short film made directly before ''Moses und Aron'', and, over two decades later, an adaptation of the one-act comic opera ''

Von heute auf morgen ' (''From Today to Tomorrow'' or ''From One Day to the Next'') is a one act opera composed by Arnold Schoenberg, to a German libretto by "Max Blonda", the pseudonym of Gertrud Schoenberg, the composer's wife. It is the composer's opus 32. The ope ...

''. The film retains the unfinished nature of the original opera, with the third act consisting of a single shot with no music as Moses delivers a monologue based on Schoenberg's notes. The film was shot on location in

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...

and

Egypt Egypt ( ar, مصر , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia via a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Medit ...

, specifically the amphitheater within the ruins of

Alba Fucens Alba Fucens was an ancient Italic town occupying a lofty location (1,000 m) at the foot of the Monte Velino, c. 6.5 km north of Avezzano, Abruzzo, central Italy. Its remains are today in the ''comune'' of Massa d'Albe. History It was ...

. The film utilized the same team of cinematographers as Straub and Huillet's ''

Chronicle of Anna Magdalena Bach ''The Chronicle of Anna Magdalena Bach'' (german: Chronik der Anna Magdalena Bach) is a 1968 film by the French filmmaking duo of Jean-Marie Straub and Danièle Huillet. It was their first full-length feature film, and reportedly took a decade ...

''. The soundtrack and cast of the film is the same as the 1974 recording conducted by

Michael Gielen Michael Andreas Gielen (20 July 19278 March 2019) was an Austrian conductor and composer known for promoting contemporary music in opera and concert. Principally active in Europe, his performances are characterized by precision and vivacity, aid ...

(Philips 6700 084). The original German version of the film was dedicated to

Holger Meins Holger Klaus Meins (26 October 1941 – 9 November 1974) was a German cinematography student who joined the Red Army Faction (RAF) in the early 1970s and died on hunger strike in prison. As a revolutionary Meins became an important member of t ...

, a former cinematography student who joined the

Red Army Faction The Red Army Faction (RAF, ; , ),See the section "Name" also known as the Baader–Meinhof Group or Baader–Meinhof Gang (, , active 1970–1998), was a West German far-left Marxist-Leninist urban guerrilla group founded in 1970. The ...

in the early 1970s and died on hunger strike in prison. This dedication was censored by German broadcasters for the film's first transmission in 1975. The English subtitles of Schoenberg's dense German libretto were prepared by assistant Gregory Woods, who is credited on the DVD. The film was shown at the

1975 Cannes Film Festival The 28th Cannes Film Festival was held from 9 to 23 May 1975. The Palme d'Or went to the '' Chronique des Années de Braise'' by Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina. In 1975, a new section, "Les Yeux fertiles", which was non-competitive, was introduced. This ...

, but was not entered into the main competition. In a review of the film, composer Allen ShawShawn, Allen
Holy Ghosts: Schoenberg’s Moses und Aron meets Straub and Huillet
''Film Comment'', journal of the Film Society of Lincoln Center, November/December 2008. commented on how the camera work and directorship mirrored the film's central premise:

References

Notes

*Woods, Gregory. "A Work Journal of the Straub/Huillet Film Moses and Aaron by Gregory Woods." Enthusiasm 1 (1975):32-54. With "Notes" by Danièle Huille

External links

* 1973 films 1970s avant-garde and experimental films French avant-garde and experimental films French musical drama films German avant-garde and experimental films German musical drama films West German films Films directed by Jean-Marie Straub and Danièle Huillet Films based on operas Films based on the Book of Exodus 1970s musical drama films Portrayals of Moses in film Films shot in Egypt Films shot in Italy Opera films 1973 drama films 1970s French films 1970s German films {{experimental-film-stub