Saved events

Die Stadt ohne Juden (PG)

A Dystopian Prophecy of Intolerance

A City Without Jews

This startlingly prescient silent film from inter-war Vienna, now with score from Olga Neuwirth, chillingly imagines – and astonishingly predicts – the consequences as a city succumbs to intolerance.

Made in 1924, Die Stadt ohne Juden is ominous, portentous, and completely unforgettable. H K Breslauer’s satirical dystopia shows the cultural and economic impoverishment of a city that expels its Jewish population, and is disturbingly prophetic in its depiction of the murderous anti-semitism in Vienna in the wake of the First World War.

And the story of the film is almost as remarkable as its content. Lost during the Second World War, this version was only rediscovered in a Paris flea market in 2015. The political message is more sharply articulated in this newly restored version, with a hitherto lost ending and other sequences. For anyone interested in 20th-century history, this film is essential viewing. But composer Olga Neuwirth is a cinephile herself, and her specially commissioned score will add another wholly compelling dimension.

Part of our 2018 Season, The Art of Change, which explores how artists respond to, reflect and can potentially effect change in the social and political landscape.

The performances are expected to finish around 8.30pm and 11pm respectively and will not include an interval.

Commissioned by Barbican Centre, Wiener Konzerthaus, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Sinfonieorchester Basel and ZDF/ARTE

The cooperation of PHACE and Nacho de Paz is kindly supported by Acción Cultural Española (AC/E) / PICE.

PHACE is supported by the SKE-Fonds (Austro Mechana), The Arts and Culture Division of the Federal Chancellery of Austria and the City Council of Vienna.

Part of the UK Jewish Film Festival 2018

Download the programme

5.45pm Pre-concert talk

Part of The Art of Change

Our 2018 season explores how the arts respond to, reflect and potentially effect change in the social and political landscape.

Discover

Title card for Die Stadt Ohne Juden

Read: The City Without Jews

Pamela Hutchinson investigates the history of The City Without Jews, one of the most prophetic, provocative films of the 20th century, reflecting on the importance of its restoration and its relevance today.

man restoring film

Watch: restoring 'Die Stadt ohne Juden'

An insight into how Filmarchiv Austria rescued 'Die Stadt ohne Juden', one of the most sought-after lost films in Austrian film history.

an orchestra playing classical music in the barbican hall in central london

Listen: Classical Music on Spotify

Follow our regularly updated Classical Music playlist for a sample of the music you'll hear across our programme. 

photo of concrete at barbican centre

From the archive: John Cale's Drone Orchestra

Listen back to our 2014 podcast featuring John Cale, Liam Young and Robert Henke.

Milton Court Concert Hall