Foreigners out! Schlingensiefs Container

Foreigners out! Schlingensiefs Container is a radical, highly controversial, and compelling documentary film directed by Paul Poet that was released in 2002. The film provides a fascinating exploration of the provocative art installation by the late avant-garde German artist, filmmaker, and theatre director, Christoph Schlingensief. He's supported by a team that includes Matthias Lilienthal, an awarded theatre director widely known for his experimental works in performance and visual arts, and Rainer Laux, an acclaimed German artist and stage actor.

Foreigners out! Schlingensiefs Container successfully captures the chaotic, thought-provoking, and confrontational art piece that was presented at the Vienna Festival in 2000 by Schlingensief. The project was a reaction against the startling electoral success of the far-right Freedom Party in Austria. It aimed to highlight and challenge the notions of nationalism, xenophobia, and societal exclusivity thriving in society through the use of an untraditional and flamboyant immersive theatre performance.

The film captures the dramatic assembly of a shipping container-turned-Big Brother-like asylum outside Vienna's opera house where a group of real asylum seekers lived for a week. They were monitored by surveillance cameras capturing every moment of their lives round-the-clock. These images, along with personal interviews and narratives, were broadcast live, online, and on Austrian television. The public was then exhorted to vote some 'contestants' out. Each day, those voted out were picked up by a van with the words 'Foreigners out!' painted on it while new asylum seekers replaced them.

Foreigners out! Schlingensiefs Container goes beyond just documenting this art project. It interweaves the raw and intense reactions it spawned amidst the public, politicians, and media, capturing a substantial snapshot of the public discourse around immigration, inclusivity, and nationalism within Austria and, to a greater extent, Europe at the time. The film offers a layer of critical insight that enables the audience to assess the motivations and impacts of such a controversial performance piece, thus bringing the complex landscape of modern socio-political arts to the forefront.

The film's central figure, Christoph Schlingensief, emerges as an enigmatic personality through his profound ideological beliefs, audacious creativity, and passionate convictions about societal inclusivity. Schlingensief's stirring beliefs about art's power to shake societal norms and reframe prejudiced narratives are presented through his interactions, revealing both intensity and a satirical wit.

While Matthias Lilienthal and Rainer Laux are credited in the movie, it’s Schlingensief’s concepts that drive the discourse, with the other figures adding contextual layers of depth, complexity, and commentary to the ongoing drama. The presence of these characters, their interactions with Schlingensief, and their inputs into the project add a richness and depth to the narrative.

Foreigners out! Schlingensiefs Container is an evocative journey that boundary-pushing art can provide for the audience. The film is certainly not for the faint-hearted or those who prefer to steer clear of political discourse in art, but for those interested in socio-political commentary, this film is a rewarding and enriching viewing experience. Poet's documentary offers a meaningful exploration of the intersections between art and society, highlighting the role art can play in shifting perspectives and sparking critical dialogue on societal issues.

The film does not shy away from the challenging and uncomfortable questions it poses about society, nationalism, xenophobia, and individual responsibility. Rather, it embraces these complexities, inviting viewers to grapple with these difficult issues willingly. It’s an expertly-crafted film that delves into the power of contemporary art to provoke, challenge, and in some way, transform society’s perceptions of itself.