Beate Mainka-Jellinghaus
Encyclopedia
Beate Mainka-Jellinghaus (b. July 27, 1936) is a German film editor with 25 feature film and documentary credits. She is noted as a member of the New German Cinema
movement and for her extended collaboration (1968–1986) with director Werner Herzog
.
Beate Mainka-Jellinghaus is the daughter of Hildegard (née Farbowski) and George Mainka, a bank official. She was born in the village of Vogt, near Oppeln
, which was then a part of Germany. At the end of the Second World War she and her parents left Oppeln, which became part of Poland
; they relocated to Ansbach
. She was musically inclined, and her secondary school education from 1946 to 1951 included ballet instruction and acting; following her graduation in 1951, she attended a private film school in Wiesbaden
to train as a film editor.
After schooling, Mainka worked for five months in a copy center, and became involved as an editorial assistant in the production of short documentary films by Harry Piel. In 1955, Mainka moved to Munich
, where she worked at Bavaria Film as an assistant film editor, working with editor Anna Höllering on several feature films directed by Rolf Hansen
. Her first credit as an editor was for the television production Ein gewisser Judas (A Certain Judas) (1958), which was the only film directed by Oskar Werner
(under the pseudonym "Erasmus Nothnagel").
In 1959 she became acquainted with director Edgar Reitz
, with whom she worked on short documentaries through about 1966. Reitz introduced her to the director Alexander Kluge
; Reitz, Kluge, and Mainka became early exponents of the New German Cinema
. Mainka's long collaboration with Kluge began with Die Patriotin (The Patriotic Woman) (1964), and extended through 1986 including the films Yesterday Girl
(1966) and Artists Under the Big Top: Perplexed (1968).
In 1967 and 1968 Mainka-Jellinghaus taught film editing at the Ulm School of Design
, where she was a member of the Institut für Filmgestaltung (Institute for Film Design) founded by Edgar Reitz and Alexander Kluge. Starting with the 1968 film, Signs of Life
, Mainka-Jellinghaus worked with director Werner Herzog on twenty films, including several of Herzog's best-known films such as Aguirre, the Wrath of God
(1972) and Fitzcarraldo
(1982). Her last film with Herzog was Where the Green Ants Dream
(1984).
Following her final film with Kluge, Miscellaneous News (1986), she retired into private life; the New German Cinema era was over.
Mainka-Jellinghaus is among the editors interviewed for the 2006 documentary Schnitte in Raum und Zeit (Cutting in Space and Time), which was produced by Gabriele Voss.
New German Cinema
New German cinema is a period in German cinema which lasted from the late 1960s into the 1980s. It saw the emergence of a new generation of directors...
movement and for her extended collaboration (1968–1986) with director Werner Herzog
Werner Herzog
Werner Herzog Stipetić , known as Werner Herzog, is a German film director, producer, screenwriter, actor, and opera director.He is often considered as one of the greatest figures of the New German Cinema, along with Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Margarethe von Trotta, Volker Schlöndorff, Werner...
.
Beate Mainka-Jellinghaus is the daughter of Hildegard (née Farbowski) and George Mainka, a bank official. She was born in the village of Vogt, near Oppeln
Opole
Opole is a city in southern Poland on the Oder River . It has a population of 125,992 and is the capital of the Upper Silesia, Opole Voivodeship and, also the seat of Opole County...
, which was then a part of Germany. At the end of the Second World War she and her parents left Oppeln, which became part of Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
; they relocated to Ansbach
Ansbach
Ansbach, originally Onolzbach, is a town in Bavaria, Germany. It is the capital of the administrative region of Middle Franconia. Ansbach is situated southwest of Nuremberg and north of Munich, on the Fränkische Rezat, a tributary of the Main river. As of 2004, its population was 40,723.Ansbach...
. She was musically inclined, and her secondary school education from 1946 to 1951 included ballet instruction and acting; following her graduation in 1951, she attended a private film school in Wiesbaden
Wiesbaden
Wiesbaden is a city in southwest Germany and the capital of the federal state of Hesse. It has about 275,400 inhabitants, plus approximately 10,000 United States citizens...
to train as a film editor.
After schooling, Mainka worked for five months in a copy center, and became involved as an editorial assistant in the production of short documentary films by Harry Piel. In 1955, Mainka moved to Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, where she worked at Bavaria Film as an assistant film editor, working with editor Anna Höllering on several feature films directed by Rolf Hansen
Rolf Hansen (director)
Rolf Hansen was a German film director. He directed 20 films between 1936 and 1960.-Selected filmography:* Die grosse Liebe * Dr. Holl * Desires...
. Her first credit as an editor was for the television production Ein gewisser Judas (A Certain Judas) (1958), which was the only film directed by Oskar Werner
Oskar Werner
-Early life:Born Oskar Josef Bschließmayer in Vienna, Werner spent much of his childhood in the care of his grandmother, who entertained him with stories about the Burgtheater, the Austrian state theatre, where he was accepted at the age of eighteen by Lothar Müthel. He was the youngest person ever...
(under the pseudonym "Erasmus Nothnagel").
In 1959 she became acquainted with director Edgar Reitz
Edgar Reitz
Edgar Reitz is a German filmmaker and Professor of Film at the Staatliche Hochschule für Gestaltung in Karlsruhe.- Early life and education :...
, with whom she worked on short documentaries through about 1966. Reitz introduced her to the director Alexander Kluge
Alexander Kluge
Alexander Kluge is an author and film director.-Early life, education and early career:Kluge was born in Halberstadt, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany....
; Reitz, Kluge, and Mainka became early exponents of the New German Cinema
New German Cinema
New German cinema is a period in German cinema which lasted from the late 1960s into the 1980s. It saw the emergence of a new generation of directors...
. Mainka's long collaboration with Kluge began with Die Patriotin (The Patriotic Woman) (1964), and extended through 1986 including the films Yesterday Girl
Yesterday Girl
Yesterday Girl is a 1966 West German film directed by Alexander Kluge. Its original German title is Abschied von gestern , which means "Parting from yesterday". It tells the story of Anita G.,played by Kluge's sister Alexandra, a young East German migrant to West Germany and her struggle to adjust...
(1966) and Artists Under the Big Top: Perplexed (1968).
In 1967 and 1968 Mainka-Jellinghaus taught film editing at the Ulm School of Design
Ulm School of Design
The Ulm School of Design was a college of design based in Ulm, Germany.Founded in 1953 by Inge Aicher-Scholl, Otl Aicher and Max Bill, the latter being first Rector of the school and a former student at the Bauhaus. The HfG quickly gained international recognition and is now viewed as being second...
, where she was a member of the Institut für Filmgestaltung (Institute for Film Design) founded by Edgar Reitz and Alexander Kluge. Starting with the 1968 film, Signs of Life
Signs of Life (1968 film)
Signs of Life is a 1968 feature film written, directed, and produced by Werner Herzog. It was his first feature film, and his first major commercial and critical success...
, Mainka-Jellinghaus worked with director Werner Herzog on twenty films, including several of Herzog's best-known films such as Aguirre, the Wrath of God
Aguirre, the Wrath of God
Aguirre, the Wrath of God is a 1972 West German adventure film written and directed by Werner Herzog. Klaus Kinski stars in the title role. The soundtrack was composed and performed by German progressive/Krautrock band Popol Vuh...
(1972) and Fitzcarraldo
Fitzcarraldo
Fitzcarraldo is a 1982 film written and directed by Werner Herzog and starring Klaus Kinski as the title character. It portrays would-be rubber baron Brian Sweeney Fitzgerald, an Irishman known as Fitzcarraldo in Peru, who has to pull a steamship over a steep hill in order to access a rich rubber...
(1982). Her last film with Herzog was Where the Green Ants Dream
Where the Green Ants Dream
Where the Green Ants Dream is a 1984 film by German film director Werner Herzog. It was Herzog's first film in English although also dubbed into German. Based partly on the Milirrpum v Nabalco Pty Ltd case and making use of professional actors as well as Aboriginal activists who were involved in...
(1984).
Following her final film with Kluge, Miscellaneous News (1986), she retired into private life; the New German Cinema era was over.
Mainka-Jellinghaus is among the editors interviewed for the 2006 documentary Schnitte in Raum und Zeit (Cutting in Space and Time), which was produced by Gabriele Voss.
Awards
- 1975: German Film Awards Gold Film Ribbon for Best Editing for The Enigma of Kaspar HauserThe Enigma of Kaspar HauserThe Enigma of Kaspar Hauser is a 1974 West German drama film written and directed by Werner Herzog about the legend of Kaspar Hauser. Its original German title is Jeder für sich und Gott gegen alle, which means "Every man for himself and God against them all"...
(directed by Werner Herzog) and for In Danger and Deep Distress, The Middleway Spells Certain Death (directed by Alexander Kluge). - 1978: Gold Film Ribbon for Film Design for Germany in AutumnGermany in AutumnGermany in Autumn is a 1978 West German omnibus film about the German Autumn. The film is composed of contributions from different filmmakers, including Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Edgar Reitz and Volker Schlöndorff. It was entered into the 28th Berlin International Film Festival, where it won a...
- 1978: Special Recognition award (shared) at the 28th Berlin International Film Festival28th Berlin International Film FestivalThe 28th annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from February 22 to March 5, 1978. This was the first year the festival was held in February.-Jury:* Patricia Highsmith * Sergio Leone* Theodoros Angelopoulos* Jacques Rozier...
for Germany in AutumnGermany in AutumnGermany in Autumn is a 1978 West German omnibus film about the German Autumn. The film is composed of contributions from different filmmakers, including Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Edgar Reitz and Volker Schlöndorff. It was entered into the 28th Berlin International Film Festival, where it won a...