Der König von Spanien

| Goldener Herkules: Coming of Self
(BALi, KulturBahnhof Kassel)

Leonard Volkmer's journey leads him from Berlin's darkrooms through clubs in Spain’s capital to the archives of a psychiatric institution. Gogol’s short story of the same title describes a protagonist who, in a psychotic delusion, believes himself to be the King of Spain. Volkmer’s years-long work illuminates the tension between the individual and society, between psychiatric records and an auto-sociobiographical text about events that culminate in an institutionalization. Photographs and new video and sound recordings document his self-empowered return to these former locations.


  • Duration: 22 Min.
  • Countries: Spain, Germany
  • Languages: German
  • Subtitles: English
  • Production year: 2024

  • Director: Leonard Volkmer
  • Nominated: Goldener Hercules