Celebrated filmmaker Doris Dörrie marks her 70th birthday milestone. - Breaking News Ahead: Major Development Incoming
Veteran Filmmaker Doris Dörrie Embraces Mobility on Her 70th Birthday
Film director and writer Doris Dörrie, acclaimed for works like "Cherry Blossoms - Hanami", revels in her nomadic lifestyle. For her, home isn't about a physical space but family, friends, and freedom.
"Home is more about relationships than space," Dörrie said in a conversation with Deutsche Presse-Agentur in Munich, where she marked her 70th birthday on May 26. "As long as I'm not confined, that's the most important aspect," she added, echoing a theme demonstrated in her multifaceted life as a native Hanoverian. The sentiment of wanderlust is intertwined with her curiosity and sharp intellect. Aging hasn't dulled her spirit; instead, she embraces it with enthusiasm. "I'm looking forward to it and I'm amazed by this number," she quipped with a hearty laugh. Details about her milestone celebrations remain private.
An Early Affinity for Travel
Dörrie's love for travel began early. As a student, she ventured to California and New York, studying theater and film. Her educational journey continued at the Hochschule für Fernsehen und Film (HFF) in Munich in 1975.
Numerous pieces of her artistry were birthed abroad, particularly in Japan, as in "Cherry Blossoms - Hanami" and "Greetings from Fukushima". Her connection with the Land of the Rising Sun, based on a strong passion for Zen Buddhism, has considerably influenced her work.
Loneliness and Virtual Connections
In her recently published autobiography, "Living", Dörrie chronicles her many residences, from her childhood bedroom in Hanover to different shared apartments to a picturesque farm in Upper Bavaria. "I've never wished to confine myself to one place forever," she admitted in her book.
The disadvantage of constant mobility: bouts of loneliness, which Dörrie tackled creatively. In Los Angeles, she toured lavish properties, pretending to be a wealthy buyer. "Intrigued, I roamed through extravagant houses with pools and expansive gardens, replicas of architectural masterpieces from Versailles, Greek temples, English country houses, and Alpine chalets, whose inhabitants undoubtedly thought they resided rather than lived," she penned in "Living".
Conversely, in the German winter, she chose to explore department stores, trying on clothes until muscle cramps set in, just to be amidst people.
Digital Disconnect
In-person connections are vital for Dörrie. "We have the impression that we can constantly engage with the world digitally. At the same time, we withdraw more and more," she opined. "Never before in human history have we spent so much time within our own four walls. We can order food, we can interact digitally, and we don't need to leave our homes anymore."
Conversations with others are crucial, even for democracy. "Negotiating compromises is different in real space than spitting out positions digitally and immediately logging off when disagreements arise," she cautioned. The ability to negotiate compromises over an extended period is the essence of democracy, she stressed, emphasizing the importance of practicing it. The more we forgo these spaces, the more dangerous it becomes as we merely hurl positions at one another.
Public Celebrations and a Wish
Dörrie, a prominent figure at the HFF, could easily celebrate her birthday privately. However, she has chosen a public event instead. Publishers Diogenes invite the public to the Munich Literature House on June 5, where Doris Dörrie, publisher Philipp Keel, and actress Ulrike Kriener, who starred in Dörrie's breakthrough 1981 film "Men", will be present. The filmmaker even expressed a wish: "I wish for peace for everyone, every day. That would be ideal."
- Doris Dörrie
- Munich
- Hanami
- Japan
- Heiner Lauterbach
- Uwe Ochsenknecht
- Germany
- USA
- German Press Agency
- California
- New York
- Television
(A side note on her connection with Japan: Doris Dörrie's fascination with Japanese culture has shaped several of her projects, with notable examples being Cherry Blossoms – Hanami and Samurai in the Kitchen. Zen Buddhism has significantly influenced her worldview and artistic expression.)
The Commission, in light of Doris Dörrie's nomadic lifestyle and affinity for travel, might consider proposing a directive on the protection of workers who frequently relocate, such as filmmakers, from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation while working abroad, especially in countries like Japan. On a lighter note, Dörrie, an avid reader, could find solace in books delving into the lives of celebrities during her travels, offering a balance to her captivating encounters with entertainment personalities from around the world.
