“Mozart Mozart” team up on the Austrian composer and his forgotten sister

Double the trouble, twice the fun. In the new series “Mozart Mozart”, the audience will learn about the famous Austrian composer – as well as his sister Maria Anna, who is forgotten from the history books.

“It’s so amazing that so few people know about her,” says screenwriter Swentje Oppermann, while creator Andreas Gutzeit adds: “When you watch the first scene, you understand who the original child prodigy was. She completely touches us.”

At the show, produced by Gutzeit’s Story House Pictures in co-production with Bragic Brooacaster Giant Pubic Broacaster ARD (WDR/SWR/ARD Degeto Film), Orf Orf TV Orf and the Dreaming Sheep Company – with Beta Film and Bavaria Media Handling World Sales – Maria Anna finally gets the spotlight. Just like many other female artists, she was overlooked for centuries.

“It’s interesting that you say it’s a contemporary thing to do – bringing women artists back from the shadows into the light. That’s probably why I wanted to do this project,” says director Clara von Arnim (“The Zwieflers”). diversea question.

“Focusing on Maria Ana makes her, in a way, immortal. As a woman in the cultural business and in the film industry, you have to make sure that you are not appreciated.”

The series stars Havana Joy (“Love Sucks”), Eren M.Güvercin (“Skam Germany: Druck”), Eidin Jalali (“The Swarm”), Verena Altenberger (“Wild Republic”) and Sonja Weißer (“Maxton Hall”).

Gutzeit has taken on another iconic character before, presenting four seasons of the smash hit “Sisi: Empressive Empress.”

“Despite the fact that everything had been said about Sisi, people were still buying the show. I realized that having a brand was the key to all these movements in the market. Mozart had been a brand for over 250 years.” However, a brand is only as good as the appeal it holds for people.

“You have to give them something new and unexpected, but at the same time serve their expectations. That was the goal,” he adds.

Von Arnim says the team didn’t want to copy other famous takes on the composer — least of all “Amadeus.” Instead, they decided to show the siblings when they are young.

“We convinced our partners that we wanted to offer this show also to young people – one that could bring them closer to these characters. We wondered: ‘What would Mozart look like today, if he were a star?’ “, admits Gutzeit.

“Amadeus has always been vying for the spotlight, but it’s not just about him. It’s about her. We wanted to capture him at that point when he’s a star. And like any good star, he explodes and falls. That’s when she shines.”

His sister suddenly needs to replace him, but she acts differently on stage.

“I told Erin that he could see his role as something like Britney Spears or all these stars that have been dragging onto the stage since they were very young. Act-wise, we looked at David Bowie and Pete Doherty. Maria Anna is like Mulan,” von Arnim laughs, referring to the Disney classic about a girl who passes out as a guy.

“Throughout the series, her performances get bigger. She claims the stage, just like her brother did. But in a more emotional way.”

Their story may not be over yet.

“There’s definitely room for more. This first season feels like the summer of these characters. Maria Anna rediscovers her own ambitions. Not just as ‘Mozart,’ but also as herself,” Oppermann explained, with Gutzeit confirming that season two is “ready to go.”

“Once again, it will try to add a new layer to the story you thought you knew — hopefully it will knock your socks off. Anyone with some money, please jump to the front of the line. We’re happy to accept your contributions,” he joked.

Amadeus and Maria Anna care for each other deeply. But they also know that the crowd is king.

“Their relationship is very important because the story sets them on a path of confrontation. You start performing like him, so how do you fight the patriarchy? These are complex issues that we hide in a very entertaining story,” says Gutzeit.

“We had a lot of discussions about respecting the Mozart legend and we wanted to respect that power. But in terms of storytelling, in terms of who these historical figures are, all bets are off because they’ve been misrepresented sometimes.”

Oppermann never wanted to make an autobiography or “give a history lesson.” “Just as Clara said, there are still glass ceilings. Young women will be able to relate to Maria Anna’s struggle seriously.”

However, “Mozart Mozart” doesn’t exactly scream history either.

“If people want to check out what’s really true, they’ll be surprised at how close we are. Welcome down the rabbit hole,” Gutzeit adds.