Kugler based this video on one of her performances about power. The system of power that subordinates the individual to the authorities and the system that rules the intimate relationship between a man and a woman. The larger and the smaller systems are interwoven in 'Postaja 25' until, ultimately, the larger system crushes the smaller one – but does not destroy it. The video opens with an almost abstract image of mountains undulating like the sea. In the persona of a conductor the larger power stands high in the mountains waving his baton. Far removed from ordinary people, he sets out the broad lines, which are then filled in by his clique of underlings. He could be an autocratic president, but given the development of the video, one tends to think of (a) God. Upon his command an enormous woman opens her stomach and hundreds of human children stream out. Meanwhile, at the earthly level, a man and a woman wander about in the empty spaces of their life, together but still alone, looking for each other. Through fade-outs to classical paintings the idealised picture he has of her slowly leads to the tortures of the smaller power system. They are prisoners to their own desires and power, and God's underlings want to keep it that way. When the man tries to escape from their hold, they beat him ruthlessly. Like a cornered cat, he seeks a way out, but behind every door he opens rages a fierce fire. As his panic mounts the underlings glance arrogantly at his torso, lying heaving in front of them on a table. The sentence is passed. The man drowns in his own blood. Or in that of his victims. A short time later the woman dies an easier death – her life is simply blown out. This does not, however, appear to be annihilation, but rather the dialectic rebirth of a stronger power.
– Lies Holtrop
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Camera, Light: Izidor Faric, Sound: Boris Romih, Editing: Neven Korda, Music: Goran Majcen, Make–up: Alan Hranitelj, Alenka Nahtigal
With: Janez Skof, Metoda Zorcic, Manca Dorer, Sanja Neskovic, Sebastjan Staric, Ivan Peternelj, Janez Habic, Andrej Lutman and others, Production: Eva Rohrman, Andrej Kregar/Forum Ljubljana
Ema Kugler ° 1955, Celje (Slovenia)
Lives and works in Ljubljana (Slovenia)
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