Who / What
The Oberhausen Manifesto was a declaration made by 26 young West German filmmakers during the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen on February 28, 1962. It called for the establishment of a "new [West] German feature film" and was initiated by Haro Senft, with signatories including directors Alexander Kluge and Edgar Reitz.
Background & History
The manifesto emerged at a time when West German cinema was dominated by conventional, commercially safe films, and younger filmmakers sought artistic renewal. It was presented at the International Short Film Festival in Oberhausen, North Rhine-Westphalia, as a collective statement against the old guard of the film industry. This event marked a pivotal moment that led to the birth of New German Cinema, a movement characterized by its authorial vision and social critique.
Why Notable
The Oberhausen Manifesto is notable for catalyzing the New German Cinema movement, which revitalized German filmmaking with innovative narratives and styles. It empowered a generation of directors to break from traditional studio systems and explore political, historical, and personal themes. The manifesto's influence extended internationally, raising the profile of German cinema and inspiring similar movements worldwide.
In the News
While the Oberhausen Manifesto itself is a historical document, its legacy continues to be referenced in discussions about independent filmmaking and cultural policy. Recent anniversaries and retrospectives on New German Cinema often highlight the manifesto's role, underscoring its enduring relevance in film studies and artistic manifestos today.
