Angela Summereder’s ‘B for Bartleby’ Transforms Melville for the Screen
Austrian writer-director Angela Summereder has taken on the challenge of adapting Herman Melville’s renowned short story, “Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street,” into a new film titled B for Bartleby. The movie, which premiered at the Doclisboa festival over the weekend and is set to screen at Viennale this week, explores the complexities of translating written narratives into visual storytelling.
In a unique approach, Summereder’s film delves into “the impossibility of translating written language into images and sounds,” according to the synopsis provided by Viennale. Central to the narrative are Melville-themed tours, actors portraying a fictional Bartleby, and performers rehearsing text, all serving to fulfill the artistic vision of Summereder’s late partner, Benedikt Zulauf. Zulauf, a past actor in Straub-Huillet’s “Geschichtsunterricht” (1972), had long envisioned a cinematic adaptation of Melville’s work.
The film offers an intimate glimpse into the couple’s discussions surrounding the project, illustrating Summereder’s own struggles and hesitations. This emotional layer adds depth to a genre often dominated by solemnity, transforming the film into a vibrant celebration of both cinema and literature.
Summereder’s Innovative Vision
Summereder’s approach to the film was born out of necessity. “It was clear to me that I didn’t want to make a classic film adaptation of a literary work, or that I couldn’t,” she shared in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. The original story presents significant challenges, setting a high bar for adaptation. Zulauf had proposed a collaboration on a Bartleby film on two occasions: first when they met, and again years later during a difficult period of his life when he was battling cancer.
Following Zulauf’s death, Summereder took a two-year hiatus from the project. “While I was cleaning up, I came across tapes I had recorded of our conversations about our ideas for the film,” she explained. Some of these discussions are woven into the fabric of the film itself, reflecting the complexity and urgency that characterized their creative dialogue.
The decision to include these conversations highlights the film’s exploration of the attempt to create a cinematic piece about the challenges of adapting Bartleby. “It also became a film about filmmaking and failure,” Summereder noted.
Redefining Gender Dynamics
A notable departure from Melville’s original narrative is Summereder’s decision to feature women prominently in her adaptation. “When you read it, you notice that it is set in an all-male sphere,” she pointed out. In contrast, her film presents a trio of women who perform theatrically, acting as mediators while the men engage in solitary writing. This choice underscores a thematic shift, emphasizing collaboration and collective action among female characters.
Moreover, children play a significant role in the film, reflecting a dimension that resonates with Summereder’s vision. “In the original story, there is a 12-year-old apprentice,” she highlighted. To incorporate this element, she collaborated with a local youth center, fostering interactions across social and age divides. “One of the nice things when you find yourself making a film is to dive into different social and age groups and work together,” she stated.
Through this community engagement, Summereder also encountered young rappers who contributed to the film by developing beats and lyrics for a Bartleby rap. The inclusion of these contemporary elements further enriches the narrative, positioning it as both a tribute to Melville and a reflection of modern society.
In crafting B for Bartleby, Summereder aims to create a cinematic experience that transcends traditional storytelling. “I didn’t want to bring a certain claimed reality to the screen, but make it more about emotion and invite the audience so they feel included,” she explained.
As she looks to the future, Summereder plans to continue exploring hybrid film projects. Her next endeavor will focus on motherhood and climate themes, drawing inspiration from the Percival epos and its female characters. This ongoing commitment to intertwining literature with contemporary issues showcases her innovative approach to filmmaking.
