This essay film about philosopher Byung-Chul Han encircles the phenomenon of fatigue in our capitalistic societies – and its associated symptoms, such as depression and burnout. Following the screening of the film, Bieke Purnelle will moderate a debate with Ignaas Devisch, Valentine Kempynck, David Weber-Krebs and Patrícia Portela.

Is it true that our only realities are increasingly virtual and digital devices have made us unable to concentrate? Psychoanalyst Darian Leader’s suggestion as to how we should think about these cultural transformations is nothing if not bold and original.

The ethical standards with which we treat animals have been the subject of considerable research. But are animals also capable of political action? Philosopher and animal theorist Fahim Amir tells surprising stories about the role of animals in the history of humankind.

Despite the extreme crises that the capitalist system has recently undergone, a post-capitalistic alternative seems more unthinkable than ever. We simply thunder on at an ever-faster pace. What we describe as ‘the left’ is breathlessly searching for ways out. New social, grassroots movements are increasingly calling for things to slow down. On the other hand, in recent years a new way of thinking about this speeding up has arisen – why not destroy capitalism using its own methods? Why not allow society to go into overdrive and pass into a new order?

On 30 November 2015, the Moroccan sociologist Fatima Mernissi died. As an emancipated feminist and activist, she navigated effortlessly between East and West – always arriving at deep insights into the complex relationship between people, cultures and religions. The books Beyond the Veil and Islam and Democracy garnered her worldwide fame and both remain powerful reference works to this day.

Julian Hetzel explores a radical alternative use of money earmarked for culture. Starting point is the € 2.000 gift he received to develop a project. He donates that entire budget to a starving child in Africa. By transferring 1 euro each day, he effectively turns the gift into a ‘2000-day intercontinental performance’.

PERFORMATIK 2015 - Conversation with Gaetan Rusquet, Heine Avdal, Yukiko Shinozaki, Collective (3), Christian Bakalov and Marnix Rummens (moderator).

PERFORMATIK 2015 - Conversation with Ulla von Brandenburg, Joachim Saxenborn, Béatrice Balcou and Karel Vanhaesebrouck (moderator).