Auto-nomy.

A specter is haunting Europe - the specter of independence. Whether in Catalonia, Northern Macedonia, the states of former Yugoslavia or Eastern Ukraine - everywhere people are demanding more 'autonomy' (from ancient Greek cars, "self" and names, "law"). But instead of questioning the national construct per se, they demand the establishment of new nation states.

Autonomy is one of the great ideals of our time: we permanently declare our independence. And amazingly enough, we assume that this could, indeed should succeed - no matter how bad the conditions may be.

Three women set off in an auto-mobile on the trail of their own auto-biography in three regions of Europe where independence movements are common. They ask themselves what the difference is between the claim to self-determination and the autonomy dictates of our time. And where the nearest gas station is.

Anyone who wants out can get out. But once you get out you rarely get back in.

Artistic direction: Eleonora Herder
Dramaturgy: Tim Schuster
Video: Alla Poppersoni
Sound: Marc Behrens
Performance: Victorija Ilioska, Lela Herder, Alla Popperini and Johanne Schröder
Graphic design: Anna Sukhova
Stage and costumes: Johanne Schröder
Advice and research: Anna Schewelew
Video documentation: Jos Diegel
Internships: Gianna Arufe und Tizia Huber

Trailer:

Long documentation:

Interviews:

As a documentary theater piece, it also reveals intersections with the private lives of the three artists. All three live in Germany but grew up in Macedonia, Eastern Ukraine, or Catalonia. This reveals how global politics is increasingly affecting their personal lives.

SWR2 Journal at Noon, 2.0.2019, 12:33h

A history laboratory is set up on stage, in which the four performers open files, retrieve objects, and project photographs and videos. They present the work on history as an unfinished process, just like history itself. A central part of the material presented consists of successful video interviews that they themselves conducted with people involved in North Macedonia and Catalonia.

David Rittershaus: “Searching for Direction,” FAZ, 6 September 2019

"The Frankfurt theater makers don't take sides. But they have brought together many opinions, historical facts, and absurdities. It's a relaxed, but also educational evening."

Frankfurt Rundschau, September 4, 2019, Sylvia Staude

Premiere on 2 September 2019 Künstlerhaus Mousonturm in Frankfurt / Performances on 3 and 4 September 2019

Premiere Zeitraumexit in Mannheim on 26 September 2019 / Further performance on 28 September 2019

A production by andpartnersincrime in cooperation with Künstlerhaus Mousonturm and Zeitraumexit e.V. Rehearsed at Z-Zentrum für Proben und Forschung, a room by ID_Frankfurt e.V.