The Song of Mary Blane

Overview

The painter from Solothurn (CH) Frank Buchser was sent to the USA in 1866 to paint a large painting of the «Heroes of the Civil War» for the future Council of States Hall in Bern. Initially Buchser was busy portraying politicians and generals in the spirit of his clients. More and more, however, he became interested in the Indians expelled to the reservations and in the living conditions of the slaves who had just been freed. Years earlier, fascinated by Moorish culture, Frank Buchser rides disguised as a Turkish sheikh to the Moroccan town of Fez, which is forbidden to Christians under death penalty. The Swiss filmmaker Bruno Moll tells the two adventurous journeys of the rebellious and controversial artist.