City, capitalism, religion: turning points of civilisation (Berlin)

The filmmaker Alexander Kluge has made a three-part series of films on modern civilisation: on cities, religion, and capitalism. The project used these films to explore the relation between the three subjects.

In partnership with the Alfred Herrhausen Society and the Haus der Kulturen der Welt, we hosted a public screening of these films, along with a post-film programme in Berlin. A group of early career scholars and practitioners met along side the public programme to discuss the themes emerging from the films and panel discussions.

On Cities

Richard Sennett, Professor of Sociology at LSE and NYU in conversation with the architect David Chipperfield, Principal of David Chipperfield Architects and Director of the 2012 Venice Biennale of Architecture.

On Religion

Angelika Neuwirth, Professor of Arabic Studies at Freie Universität Berlinin in conversation with José Casanova, Professor of Sociology at Georgetown University, and head of the Berkley Center’s Program on Globalization, Religion and the Secular. 

On Capitalism

Saskia Sassen, Robert S. Lynd Professor of Sociology and Co-Chair of The Committee on Global Thought at Columbia University in conversation with Joseph Vogl, Professor of German Literature, Cultural and Media Studies, Humboldt University Berlin and author of ‘The Spectre of Capital’. 

This project was funded by the generous support of the Alfred Herrhausen Society.