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About the film Time and Space with Tristan

Time and Space with Tristan is a poetic documentary that captures the final creative chapter of cellist Tristan Honsinger (1949–2023). Filmed between 2018 and 2020, it follows his preparation for Hopscotch, a large-scale improvised music-theater for a 11-member ensemble presented at A’larm Festival 2019 in Berlin.

This was one of Honsinger’s last major works, blending improvisation, storytelling, and theatrical gesture into a unique collective composition. Through his own words and voice, the film reveals the subtle rhythm of his thought — his philosophy of play, communication, and listening — as he guides younger musicians through the delicate balance between chaos and structure. The documentary becomes both an intimate portrait and a final big venue, where music turns into a mirror of life's fragile yet joyful improvisation.

About Tristan Honsinger
Tristan Honsinger was a pioneering American-born cellist known for redefining the boundaries of improvisation. Born in Burlington, Vermont, in 1949, he studied classical cello before moving to Europe in the early 1970s, where he became a central figure in the free improvisation scene. His collaborations span Derek Bailey, Cecil Taylor, ICP Orchestra, Misha Mengelberg, Han Bennink, and Alexander von Schlippenbach, among many others. Honsinger’s performances fused music, movement, and narrative, often blurring the line between concert and theater. His spontaneous humor, poetic speech, and childlike curiosity made him a singular presence in experimental music. Even in his later years, he continued to inspire generations of musicians, embodying the idea that creativity is a form of dialogue — playful, fearless, and deeply human.

About Hiroki Mano 
Hiroki Mano (b. 1973, Tokyo) is a photographer, actor, performer, and filmmaker. He discovered photography as a teenager, inspired by Dennis Hopper’s memoirs and the work of Robert Frank, and began his professional career after training in a commercial studio.
In 1999 he moved to Berlin, where he presented his first solo exhibition                             '' What is Musik? ''.  Soon after, he was cast as the lead in Maria Speth’s debut feature The Days Between, which won an international festival award and opened further opportunities in film.    Drawn to jazz and improvisation, Mano began leaning tap dance at the age of 30, a practice that deepened his engagement with live performance. In 2012, he encountered Tristan Honsinger’s music at  ''so wie so'', a Berlin venue well known for experimental improvisation. Since then, Mano has often shared the stage with Honsinger, whom he regards as a mentor figure.

This film is a compilation of footage recorded over a period of time by the filmmaker and fellow performers of the ensemble Hopscotch, serving as a reference document for their work. Initially started as promotional material for future use, it became a memorial piece following the passing of the lead performer.

With this background, it also includes footage of Hopscotch's live performance at the 2019 music festival “A'Larme Festival” as another episode.

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Film Title : Time and Space with Tristan
Directed by: Hiroki Mano
Running Time: 75 min
Year: 2024
Language: English (with English subtitles)