The Beethoven Files

Beethoven's life is told as a “cultural crime story” (WDR), a hybrid of live action and animation. How can a deaf composer write masterpieces? An investigation. When composer Ludwig van Beethoven dies at age 56 in Vienna, a mysterious will appears that he had drafted 25 years earlier. It reveals that Bethoven has been practically deaf since he was 31, before he wrote most of his groundbreaking works and music history in the process. A deaf composer? How is that possible? THE BEETHOVEN FILES combines fictional scenes, animated sequences and crime scene investigation style expert statements to an innovative and informative genre mix. With their film, directors Hedwig Schmutte and Ralf Pelger shed new light on Beethoven and his music.

Keywords

  • Kinoherz
  • Made in Germany
  • biopic
  • classical
  • history

Actors

  • Lars Eidinger
  • Pheline Roggan

Director

  • Hedwig Schmutte
  • Ralf Pleger

Music, Dance, Theater, Documentary


51min


6 FSK

DE

Germany
2013
Beethoven's life is told as a “cultural crime story” (WDR), a hybrid of live action and animation. How can a deaf composer write masterpieces? An investigation.

Beethoven's life is told as a “cultural crime story” (WDR), a hybrid of live action and animation. How can a deaf composer write masterpieces? An investigation.


When composer Ludwig van Beethoven dies at age 56 in Vienna, a mysterious will appears that he had drafted 25 years earlier. It reveals that Bethoven has been practically deaf since he was 31, before he wrote most of his groundbreaking works and music history in the process. A deaf composer? How is that possible?


THE BEETHOVEN FILES combines fictional scenes, animated sequences and crime scene investigation style expert statements to an innovative and informative genre mix. With their film, directors Hedwig Schmutte and Ralf Pelger shed new light on Beethoven and his music.

Cast & Crew