My Name Is Bertolt Brecht - Exile in U.S.A. (1989)

Synopsis of My Name Is Bertolt Brecht - Exile in U.S.A.

Bertholt Brecht (1898-1956) was a groundbreaking German playwright, movie-maker, and poet. Among his well-known works are the musical drama The Threepenny Opera (which originated the famous song Mack the Knife in collaboration with composer Kurt Weill), and the harrowing drama Mother Courage and Her Children, which have become part of the world's standard theatrical repertory. Due to his leftist political sympathies, despite his eminent stature in Germany, he decided to live the life of an exile in the United States between 1941 and 1947. This documentary explores that period in his life. While in the U.S., he supported himself by writing screenplays such as the one he wrote with Charles Laughton for Galileo Galilei). His leftist sentiments and intense idealism brought him into conflict with the increasingly hysterical anti-communist activities of branches of the U.S. government. When he was brought before the House Un-American Activities Committee (H.U.A.C.) to testify, along with other culturally influential men such as Ring Lardner, Jr., he was unable to adequately defend himself. The day after his testimony, he returned to (East) Germany, to resume his career there. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

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