More than 70 years ago, Jonas Mekas (*1922 Semeniškiai, LTU, † 2019, New York, USA) left his native Lithuanian village to escape Nazi persecution. He was 22 years old at the time. Today, he is considered one of the last contemporary witnesses of a generation of so-called displaced persons – and at the same time one of the most important chroniclers of human experience. I had nowhere to go: Portrait of a displaced person is his story of exile, triggered by the horrors of the 20th century, driven by the need to create rather than destroy, to carry on, to find meaning … or not – where helplessness is more honest. Jonas Mekas himself read from his diaries for the film.

These recordings are used to create a dense narrative of his most important stages of life and most moving experiences. Douglas Gordon (*1966 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK) complements the readings with a few concise images – in between, the screen remains black. The sound, created by Frank Kruse, carries the work and makes it an intense listening experience. The authentic voice of Jonas Mekas lends the film a deeply personal touch. Whether you call it the redemptive power of art or simply the human condition – in a world where displacement has become a part of life, Jonas Mekas’ story has something to say to us all. To hear the direct testimony of a man who has experienced so much and inspired so many is a gift – one that we owe ourselves and our children, no matter where they live their lives.

For Douglas Gordon, this film project is also of particular importance because of his long-standing relationship with Jonas Mekas. Germany 2016, Douglas Gordon – director and co-writer, Jonas Mekas – in person, Ninon Liotet – editor and co-writer, Frank Kruse – sound design, producers – Douglas Gordon, Sigrid Hoerner (Moneypenny Filmproduktion GmbH), Zeynep Yücel, world sales – olddognewtricks GmbH. Format – DCP, 97 min., OmU.

Free admission, registration not required

More info: Blind spots

As part of the event series“Blind-Spots – a series of events in memory of the former displaced persons in Westphalia-Lippe”