Lecture
Professor David Peimer
Saturday 18.10.2025
Professor David Peimer
The Fascination with the Faustian Story: The Heart of German Literature and Film
Saturday 18.10.2025
How to watch
This lecture starts on 18 October at 5:00pm (UK).
Summary
What is the Faustian bargain? What deal would we make to achieve our ambition or desire? What would we sacrifice to get the deal? And why is the story of Faust at the heart of German literature and film? Does it also resonate on a more universal level? In this presentation we cast an eye on films and novels by great artists who delved into the question: Goethe, Christopher Marlowe, Murnau, Thomas Mann, Mamet, Gertude Stein, Vaclav Havel, Heine, István Szabó, Wagner, Liszt, Mahler, and Stravinsky.
Professor David Peimer
David Peimer is a Professor of Literature, Film and Theatre in the UK. He has worked for the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, New York University (Global Division) and was a Fulbright Scholar at Columbia University. Born in South Africa, David has won numerous awards for playwriting and directing. He has most recently directed Dame Janet Suzman in his own play, Joanna’s Story, at London Jewish Book Week. He has published numerous books, including Armed Response: Plays from South Africa and the digital book Theatre in the Camps. He is on the board of the Pinter Centre (London), and has been involved with the Mandela Foundation, Vaclav Havel Foundation and directed a range of plays at Mr Havel’s Prague theatre.