Escape to Life
What the Critics are Saying
“It’s a stimulating ride, and an often witty one.” — Brandon Judell, PlanetOut
“Intriguing moving documentary” — D.N., Film Journal International
“Brilliant! A stranger-than-fiction tale of fascinating lives in a troubled time.” — Loren King, The Boston Globe
“An imaginative, insightful exploration of the lives and times of two of Thomas Mann’s children… The voicing by the Redgraves is an inspired stroke, underscoring the Manns’ rivalry and intimacy.” — Gareth Evans, TIME OUT London
“An especially interesting documentary… that illustrates the human fates as well as the dictates of history.”— Jukka Kajava, Helsinki (Finland) Sanomat

About the Film
Narrated by Corin Redgrave and Vanessa Redgrave as the voices of Klaus Mann and Erika Mann.
“Escape to Life: The Erika and Klaus Mann Story” is the result of a remarkable pairing between fiction and non-fiction filmmakers Wieland Speck and Andrea Weiss. It depicts another remarkable relationship, between Erika and Klaus Mann, the brilliant eldest children of German author Thomas Mann.
The Manns claimed to be identical twins, despite being born more than a year apart and different genders. Living under the shadow of Hitler’s rise, Erika and Klaus were intellectuals, homosexuals, and pacifists who lived as exiles in their country. Erika was an actress whose satirical revues were censored throughout Europe. Klaus was a self-doubting writer whose banned novel, Mephisto, didn’t become a bestseller until long after his suicide.
Filled with contradictions and inspiration, their fascinating lives stand as a testament to the power of the individual and art against the forces of history and the worst of humanity. The filmmaking team of Weiss and Speck weave together a seamless blend of dramatic scenes, compelling interviews (including Mann’s youngest daughter), and amazing archival footage.
Selected Festivals, Awards and TV Broadcasts
Arte (German/French television)
YLE TV2 (Finnish television)
South Carolina Arts Commissions Southern Circuit
Laemmle Theatres Documentary Days, California
Zeitgeist Theater Experiment, New Orleans
Quad Cinema, New York
Coolidge Corner, Boston
Museum of Modern Art, New York City
Atlantic Film Festival
Valladolid International Film Festival Spain
Warsaw International Film Festival Poland
Bergen International Film Festival Norway
Jerusalem International Film Festival
Outfest Directors Guild of America Los Angeles
Seattle International Film Festival
San Francisco International Gay and lesbian Film Festival
Inside Out Film and Video Festival Toronto
Human Rights Watch International Film Festival London
Berlin International Film Festival
Rotterdam International Film Festival
Hof Film Days, Germany
Double Take Documentary Film Festival Duke University Durham NC
Cinema Jury Award, Best Documentary Feature, Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (October 2001)