Prater

Filmed on location at the Prater, the famous Viennese amusement park, Ottinger’s award-winning documentary draws a parallel between the illusionary business of carnival freak shows and the bygone era of a cinema of attractions. Ottinger’s beguiling images and sound design capture the visceral and haunting qualities of this historic fairground. Archival film and photos combine with a soundscape that includes tunes from music boxes, live performance, and ambient sounds to transport the viewer back and forth in time. Reveling in and reflecting on the nature of spectacle, this wonderfully cinematic work resonates with earlier Ottinger films like Freak Orlando.