Documentary film
Germany, 2022, 116 Min
English & German, with English subtitles

Pianist Kyra Steckeweh and filmmaker Tim van Beveren dive into a time that has more in common with today's than one might think. "It was the golden age of security," writes Stefan Zweig (1881-1942) in his book "The World of Yesterday." It was in this "world of yesterday" that composer Dora Pejačević (1885-1923) created her works, which are in no way inferior to those of her famous male colleagues. She was born a countess and was able to develop her talent at an early age.

But after World War I and the collapse of the K.u.K-monarchy, she had to adapt her life to the new times in order to continue composing. "A person like me cannot choose any class," she wrote to a friend.

After her tragic death in Munich in 1923, Dora Pejačević fell into oblivion, at least outside her native Croatia. In the film, her music comes alive again, and filmmakers, pianist Kyra Steckeweh and director Tim van Beveren, together with the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, have succeeded in realizing a plan that the composer was unable to complete 100 years ago.

Promoting the rediscovery of women in music history has been the endeavor of Kyra Steckeweh and Tim van Beveren for several years. Their joint debut film "Women Composers" (DE 2018, 95 min.) met with great interest at home and abroad. It received several awards in the USA and was awarded the OPUS KLASSIK for best audiovisual production in Germany in 2020. Also this film received the OPUS KLASSIK in 2024 as best audiovisual production in the international contest.

AWARDS & HONORS
German Film Rating Board (FBW) – Highest Rating: “Especially Valuable”
Florence Film Awards – Best Documentary
New York Movie Awards – Silver Award
2nd Oberschwaben Film Days – Best Documentary
Montreal Independent Film Festival – Official Nominee
Near Nazareth Festival – Award Winner
European Short Awards Brno – Official Selection
New York Arthouse Festival – Official Nominee
Toronto Art Film Spirit Awards – Best Documentary
Barcelona Indie Awards – Best Historical Documentary
New York International Women Festival – Semi-Finalist
San Jose Independent Film Festival – Semi-Finalist
Andromeda Film Festival – Best Production · Best Documentary · Best Poster
OPUS KLASSIK 2024 – Best Audiovisual Production