Program Note
Fatih Akin, a German of Turkish descent, is famous for turning the lives of immigrants in Germany into films, such as Short Sharp Shock (1998) and The Edge of Heaven (2007). Rhinegold focuses on the eventful life of Hajabi, who is of Kurdish origin and immigrates to Germany. Haji escapes Iraq and settles in Germany due to his famous musician father. However, due to discord with his father, he turns to drug dealing instead of music and gains influence while planning a gold heist. The title briefly appears in the play as a performance of Wagner’s Das Rheingold, when Hajabi’s father tells him, “What leads you to immortality is gold”. Hajabi’s attempt to steal the gold, however, leads to him prison. Was his father’s advice just empty words? No. For him, the gold that turns his life around was “music”. This multi-faceted biopic proves again Akin’s mastery in storyteeling and cinematic style. (HUH Namwoong)