The Legend of Kaspar Hauser (La leggenda di Kaspar Hauser)
Italy 2012

Opening 25 Jul 2013

Directed by: Davide Manuli
Writing credits: Davide Manuli
Principal actors: Vincent Gallo, Claudia Gerini, Elisa Sednaoui, Fabrizio Gifuni, Silvia Calderoni

Writer/director Davide Manuli’s vision of this German legend is a surreal black and white drama of few words but bursting with beautiful images and an exciting techno soundtrack from Vitalic, loud but light and energizing, producing an otherworldly atmosphere. Historically, teenager Kaspar Hauser mysteriously appeared in Nuremburg in 1828 carrying an anonymous letter of instruction to either take him in or kill him. His sad story roused the press and international attention with rumors of noble parentage. He died of stab wounds in 1833.

Manuli’s Kaspar (female performance artist Silvia Calderoni) never speaks but listens to music and becomes a DJ with the help of the sheriff, who believes in Kaspar after he appears, washed up onto the beach, heralded by UFOs hovering above. Also a joy to see, the sheriff and the bad guy (both played by Vincent Gallo) dueling by dance competition instead of murder and torture. The bad guy pusher is the pawn of the Grand Duchess’ (Claudia Gerini) evil aspect, threatened by Kaspar’s popularity.

At the 2012 FilmFest Hamburg, Manuli said “it’s all nonsense” because that’s all KH got from society. Manuli has always loved the story. Kaspar is like Jesus for him – society killed him. (Nancy Tilitz)