Crafting Atmosphere: The Symbiosis of Sound and Image in Jessica Hausner’s Cinema

This masterclass would explore how image, sound, and music are interwoven to build the distinctive tone, stylization and psychological tension in Hausner’s films — especially Club Zero. The session will feature a conversation with Hausner and husband and composer Markus Binder, focusing on their creative collaboration, from concept to final mix. With Club Zero as a case study, selected scenes from the film will be shown to illustrate how music and sound design shape mood and audience engagement. In that context, the session will also touch on Hausner’s “female gaze without sentiment,” how it rejects the “emotional woman” trope and differs from some feminist perspectives.