Karl Marx in the World Interior of Animation: Critical Reflections on Marx Returns and Marx Reloaded

Abstract

In this article the author critically reflects on his motivation and creative approach to directing two Karl Marx films: the fully animated feature film Marx Returns (in development) and the Arte/ZDF partly animated documentary Marx Reloaded (2011). In the case of Marx Returns the author argues that animation has superior claims over live action film to be able to represent Marx, due to the prevalence of caricature in the 19th century illustrated press. In the case of Marx Reloaded the author further reflects on the role of caricature in relation to the Marxist–Communist revival, or the Idea of Communism of Slavoj Žižek. In the case of either film, the author maintains, animation is not employed satirically in order to simplify or parody Marx or Marxism. Instead the aim is to use animation in order to explore the limits of fantasy – to deform reality – and draw the ideological boundaries of Marx’s world.