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God Save Us From Otto Wagner Director: Jörg A.EGGERS Camera: Franz ZECHA Author: Jörg A.EGGERS Crew: Schnitt: Hannelore GÖTZINGER Year: 1975 Documentary (60 min.) This historic quote and documentary-title can be countered at best with another quote from Otto Wagner himself: „The responsibility for the promotion of our culture lies in the hands of people, or is influence by such, who can be categorised the following way: 1. Those who know nothing about art; they are least dangerous. 2. Those who pretend that they know something about art, whilst they lack a true understanding: they are so called hypocrites. 3. Those who need the agreement of the majority. 4. Those who think that public opinion or that of a critic is of importance and form their opinion accordingly. Otto Wagner concluded: the criterion to determine the quality of an artist remains the quality of his work...“ The architect, Otto Wagner died 1918. His words seem somewhat timeless. Yet, this documentary made us hopeful with regard to the preservation of works of art in Austria and especially in Vienna. It showed that initiative at the right time and place can make a difference. Today all three buildings, the Schützenhaus, the Postsparkasse and the Stadtbahnpavillons Karlsplatz are perfectly renovated and revitalised. However, for this to happen, a documentary had to be made first, and it is the one you are watching at this moment. When this film was made in 1975, parts of the Karlsplatzpavillons were hidden under sub-urban railway arches. Thorough research was necessary to retrieve all parts... The Schützenhaus was in a bad state and subjected to vandalism. The shooting permission for this film was issued only after the object was sold by the municipality to the Federal Government within a week. Over the weekend the ministry tasked an architect with the renovation in order to keep the promise made by the minister during the electoral campaign. The redecoration and therefore the destruction of the original design of the main hall in the Postsparkasse was also prevented. Instead its renovation was encouraged. The church on Steinhof had already been well renovated before 1975. A sign, showing that it is possible to save Otto Wagner, when necessary. This extraordinary and dedicated documentary by Jörg A. Eggers revealed the crimes of the past, the present and what could happen in the future. Neue Kronen Zeitung A direct attack ....not only with the instinct of a journalist, but also consumer-friendly and courageous.... Kurier |
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