Oscar-nominated German director discusses film, October 27 at Vassar College

Filmmaker Frank Beyer, prize-winning director of "Jakob the Liar," will deliver a lecture on "The Representation of Jews in (East) German Cinema" at 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 27, in Taylor Hall, room 203, Vassar College. There will be a screening and discussion of the film.

Beyer will discuss the making of the film, followed by a screening and a question and answer session. The screening, co-sponsored by the Department of German Studies, the Jewish Studies Program, and the Office of the Dean of the Faculty, is free and open to the public.

Beyer is one of the most famous directors of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). Even during the Cold War, his films engendered considerable interest and critical acclaim within the Federal Republic, unlike many others who worked at Deutsche Film-Aktiengesellschaft Studios. In addition to many national and international awards, he is the only GDR filmmaker in history to have been nominated for an Oscar for best foreign film.

Born in Nobitz in 1932, Beyer studied theater science in Berlin and directing at the famed Prague Film School in Prague, before moving on to work as s a director Deutsche Film-Aktiengesellschaft Studios, now known as Studio Babelsberg.

Several years after making his directing debut, he was banished from the studio as a result of directing the 1966 film "Traces of Stone," which was banned until the political infrastructure of the GDR collapsed. When the film was finally released for public viewing, 25 years later, it instantly became a major landmark in German film history.

Beyer was not allowed to work again as a film director until his re-emergence in 1974 with "Jakob the Liar." Due to political obstacles, the film was delayed in its making from 1966 to 1974. During the interval the script was published as a book, which immediately became a best-selling novel. In 1977 the film was nominated for "Best Foreign Film" at the Academy AwardsÙ.

For more information, call the Office of Campus Activities at (845) 437-5370 Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Cathy Jennings, Office of Campus Activities, (845) 437-5370, as far in advance as possible to request reasonable and appropriate accommodations for the event.

Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential liberal arts college founded in 1861.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations or information on accessibility should contact Campus Activities Office at (845) 437-5370. Without sufficient notice, appropriate space and/or assistance may not be available.

Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential liberal arts college founded in 1861.

This article was posted on Sunday, October 27th, 2002.