In July 2015, the city of Hanau erected a monument for one of its most prominent citizens: Moritz Daniel Oppenheim. Who was the “first Jewish painter of the 19th century”, born 1800 in Hanau, known even today as one of the most visionary artists of his time? Coming from Hanau herself, the director Isabel Gathof traces the life’s journey of the artist who continuously employed an interconfessional dialogue and so owed up to both his Jewish and German heritage. Conversations with historians and descendants make clear what an outstanding position Oppenheimer forged himself. At the same time, the film accompanies the making of the Oppenheim-Monument in impressive, almost metaphorical images.

Isabel Gathof, born in Hanau like Oppenheim, worked with the New Philharmonic Frankfurt to create the film’s soundtrack. The film garnered a nomination for the Hessischer Film- und Kinopreis 2017 in the Documentary category. The Deutsche Film- und Medienbewertung (German federal authority for film and media evaluation and ratings) awarded the film the rating “Wertvoll” (Valuable).