Maxim Billers no king in Israel: a moving radio play on the Middle East conflict

Maxim Billers no king in Israel: a moving radio play on the Middle East conflict

On October 7, 2023, the terrible terrorist attack on Israel marks the anniversary of Hamas, which led to a continuing conflict in the Middle East. On this occasion, the SWR radiates an extraordinary radio play by the writer Maxim Biller with the title "No king in Israel", which will be available for download from October 4 at the ARD Audiothek. The first broadcast will take place on October 6, 2024 at 00:05 in SWR Kultur.

director Dominik Graf, known for his work in film and television, dares to use this radio play in the radio area. The work tells the moving history of the Jewish writer Josef Chaim Brenner, also known as Jossl Brenner. Brenner lived at the beginning of the 20th century and was a deeply torn figure that fluctuated between different identities and life plans. The story offers insights into his life, shaped by hybris, despair and an incessant search for identity.

insights into Brenner's life

Brenner, born in 1881 in the Russian Empire, was an important representative of Zionism and took part in the geopolitical upheavals of his time. His brutal murder during the anti -Jewish pogroms in Jaffa in 1921 represents a dramatic aspect of his biography. Maxim Biller creates a fictional narrative in "No king in Israel" that interweaves the historical context with a contemporary perspective. The conversations between a male and a female narrator reflect the complex contradictions that Brenner's life accompanied.

The radio play comes alive through a mixture of reality and fiction, with Biller empathetic and humorous penetrating Brenner's soul. The discrepancy between his personal conflicts and the greater social challenges of his time becomes clear. At the same time, the terrorist attack of Hamas, which was looking for the Israeli civilian population, makes Biller's work particularly up to date and painfully relevant.

Maxim Biller, born in Prague in 1960 and living in Germany since 1970, is an outstanding voice in German -language literature. His literary work in particular addresses questions of Jewish identity in the context of post -war Germany. In the course of his career, he has published numerous works, including the remarkable narrative band "If I am rich and dead". "No king in Israel" represents his debut in the radio play area.

DIEDEDED Dominik Graf, a renowned German film and television director, took over known for his complex narrative structures and profound character studies. Graf, who celebrated success with productions such as "in the face of crime" and "Fabian or the Gang in front of the dogs", uses his film aesthetic approaches in this radio play to create an urgent atmosphere.

The production, which also includes talented actors such as Samuel Finzi, Deleila Piasko and Joel Basman, is supported by a musical framework that underlines the emotional depth of the stories. The recording is carried out under the direction of Manfred Hess, who is responsible for the editorial team and dramaturgy.

The complete radio play is provided on swrkultur.de as well as in the ARD audio. At SWR Kultur it will be broadcast on October 6th at 00:05 in the program "Without Limit". This creative implementation of Biller's work currently appears even more important in view of the geopolitical developments that continue to shape the region. From Friday, October 4th, it is possible to discover the radio play in advance and to deal with the complex and often painful history.

Further information about the radio play and the available content can be found on swrkultur.de . In addition, the program is also advertised via various social media to reach a wider audience.