"Director Kirill Serebrennikov's account of his departure from Russia, highlighting the permanence of his decision and his experiences of exile, uncertainty, and the controversial figure of Josef Mengele"
Renowned Director Kirill Serebrennikov Thrives in Berlin After Legal Ordeal
Kirill Serebrennikov, a 55-year-old Russian director, has shown remarkable resilience and international expansion in his career following a controversial legal ordeal in Moscow and subsequent move to Berlin.
In 2017, Serebrennikov was placed under house arrest awaiting trial on embezzlement charges, which drew widespread condemnation from the global arts community. Despite the restrictions, he continued to work, albeit with limitations in Russia. His sentence was changed to a suspended sentence in 2020, allowing him more freedom, and he eventually settled in Berlin.
In the German capital, Serebrennikov has found a more open environment that has revitalized his creative output. He has directed new theatre productions and films that have been well-received internationally, gaining further recognition at major festivals and cultural institutions.
One of his most notable works in Berlin is the adaptation of Vladimir Sorokin's novel, The Blizzard. This intricate, multimedia production will premiere at the Salzburg Festival in July 2023. According to Serebrennikov, the play explores themes of self-questioning and uncertainty.
Another significant work is Serebrennikov's film, The Disappearance of Josef Mengele, based on Olivier Guez's non-fiction novel. This film, which is his sixth premiere at Cannes, was presented at the festival in May 2023. The graphic depiction of Nazi medical atrocities is likely to stir up debate.
Serebrennikov's theatre company, Kirill & Friends, is based in a large apartment decorated with film, theatre, and festival posters. His headquarters serve as a hub for collaboration with global artists.
Prior to moving to Berlin, Serebrennikov worked at several major cultural institutions in the city, including the Schaubühne, the Deutsches Theater, and the Komische Oper Berlin. He also ran the Gogol Center, an influential theatre in Moscow, between 2012 and 2021.
In addition to his work in Berlin, Serebrennikov will direct a multilingual rewrite of Hamlet at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, which premieres in early October. He will also direct a production of Wagner's Das Rheingold for the Salzburg Easter Festival, as part of a new Ring Cycle to be staged between 2026 and 2030.
Serebrennikov's career trajectory has shifted from being constrained by legal and political pressures in Russia to blossoming on a wider European stage, cementing his reputation as a bold, boundary-pushing artist. His experience has made him a symbol of artistic courage and resistance, and his work continues to attract international attention.
In April 2023, Serebrennikov directed a production of Don Giovanni with a bisexual twist for the Komische Oper Berlin, further demonstrating his commitment to tackling complex social and political themes without fear of censorship.
Serebrennikov purchased a small apartment in Berlin in 2011, which he states was extremely affordable at the time. His move to the city has proven to be a fruitful decision, allowing him to continue his prolific and groundbreaking career.
Kirill Serebrennikov's creative output has expanded since settling in Berlin, with a focus on movies-and-tv productions and broader entertainment projects.
The renowned director continues to gain further recognition at international festivals and cultural institutions, demonstrating his thriving career in entertainment after his legal ordeal.
