The Goethe-Insitut presents: The photo exhibit Princesses and Football Stars followed by screening of Thomas Riedelsheimer's film SEELENVOEGEL May 30, 2012

Photo Exhibit opening reception: May 30 .2012, 5pm-7pm at the ART Lounge
Immediately followed by Thomas Riedelsheimer's SEELENVOEGEL (Soul Birds) from 7-8:30pm

PRINCESSES AND FOOTBALL STARS portrays families who have a child with a life-threatening illness. Photographs frequently serve as a document for preserving a cherished memory - especially in cases where a family portrait captures the fragile balance between normalcy and the tragedy of illness. This is especially true in cases where a family portrait captures the fragile balance between the wish for normality and the tragedy of illness and impending death.

How do we face up to the fact that our lives are finite? Ever since Daniel Schumann did his alternative civilian service in a hospice, confronting this question has been a central aspect of his photographic work. He received a grant from the Arts Foundation of North Rhine-Westphalia resulting in the book Princesses and Football Stars, which was honored with the Foreign Artist Award at the China Pingyao International Photography Festival 2010.

Following the reception, Thomas Riedelsheimer’s film SEELENVOEGEL (Soul Birds) will screen from 7 - 8:30 pm. / (2009), 90 min., Germany, in German with English subtitles

For 15-year old Pauline, 10-year old Richard and 6-year old Lenni, life means something very special. They suffer from leukemia and they are facing death. Pauline writes poems, Richard knows everything about his disease and Lenni's charm fills any room easily. The film documents these three young people with all their plans, hopes, defeats and triumphs.

Director Thomas Riedelsheimer (Touch the Sound, Rivers&Tides) accomplishes in his documentary Seelenvögel (Soul Birds) an unusual filmic approach to an unimaginable situation, in which the focus isn't on the illness but instead on the search for power and life energy.

Official Website: http://www.goethe.de/ins/us/saf/ver/en9231988v.htm