German visual artist Julian Rosefeldt directs actress Cate Blanchett, who creates 13 distinct characters with strikingly different gestures, accents, and mannerisms, while reciting 13 artistic manifestos. In the film, Blanchett recites the Dada manifesto, which transforms into a funeral oration, as well as emblematic texts by Karl Marx, Pop Art, and Futurism, in a tone that blends satire and humor and invites viewers to question the social, political, and gender factors that shape the role of the artist in society.
“Manifesto” is the film adaptation of an interactive installation exhibited at the Park Avenue Armory in New York, in which Blanchett gives voice to 60 revolutionary artists who speak about the true nature of artistic expression.
“It’s not an educational film; rather, we want the viewer to complete what they’ve seen on screen in their own mind,” the director added.
Cate Blanchett is so versatile, and her characterization so dramatic, that it won’t seem like the same person is playing all 13 characters. ‘Manifesto’ begins with an introduction followed by segments performed by Blanchett. At one point, all the manifestos become a chorus, like a mantra.
Each screen in the film represents an idea. Whether it’s surrealism, dadaism, or constructivism, they are expressed in the film through different manifestos. Everything is so detailed that each scene is like a painting by Hieronymus Schuster.
The German director, Julian Rosefeldt, stated that the actress didn’t perform the manifestos; rather, they are a part of her. The statements used are from modern artists before they were famous. ‘Manifesto’ is based on the idea that in such a visual age as ours, we need words again. We leave you with the trailer.
