Ulrike Ottinger gained major international attention in the early 1970s for her first film, Madame X – An Absolute Ruler (1977), a ‘lesbian pirate punk film' criticised by feminists, but also defended by other women filmmakers. Drawing on myths, fairy-tales, literature, painting, and theatre, Ottinger's lavish feature films verge on the fantastic and surreal. Her documentary films, which are often filmic travelogues, pursue Ottinger's strong ethnographic interests. Focusing primarily on regions in Eastern Europe and Asia, these films examine the idea of the exotic and explore the lives of migrant and minority cultures. Opposing the acceleration of present day life these films take their time and consciously ignore common standards of filmic duration. Based in Berlin, Ottinger works independently and frequently assumes the functions of script writer, producer, director, cinematographer and art director. Her most recent film, Twelve Chairs (2003), was premiered at the International Film Festival in Berlin this year and is currently showing at festivals throughout the world.

Presented in association with The Kent Institute of Art & Design, MA Artists' Film, Video & Photography. With generous support from the Goethe Institut London.  

Ulrike Ottinger's film Freak Orlando also will be screened at the  Goethe Institut London on Friday 29 October at 19.00.