I was asked to do a documentary of the 50 year anniversary of a Bavarian polka band called âDonauklangâ form the town of HöchstĂ€dt. They celebrated their anniversary with a big festival.Â
So here it isâŠA short movie about traditions, passion, family & friends.
Most of the young people I know want to move to bigger cities, like Berlin, Munich or HamburgâŠThey are all exchanging their villages for partying, enjoying life, studying & finding new inspirations.
But what about tradition? If there are no more young people in small villages, they will die out.
While Max, who has done the filming for this movie, saw the following scenes through his camera, it felt like a complete different world. But for me, coming from a town similar to HöchstĂ€dt, then living in Berlin for 10 years, this was the first time I understood why it is so important for young people to stay in these small villagesâŠTo preserve all the old traditions.
The interesting thing about these small polka groups and clubs is that they seem to be a reflection of society. You can find craftsmen, financial professionals, sensual people, marketing experts, people in the background, visionaries, old people, young people, doers, thinkers, talkers, quiet people, loud people, mothers, fathers, daughters... and together they are a perfect match. People youâd love to meet!
Itâs not about playing perfectâŠitâs about having fun, listening to the music, feeling the vibes of the instruments. Of course, as in every relationship, there are good times and bad times. Friendships, affairs, marriages and divorces. This is the real life where people still listen to each other and are there for one another.
Itâs not about whoâs the coolest, not about discriminating others. Everyone can learn from each other and pass their traditions on to avoid their extinction and also to learn to be proud of their village. (kannst aber hier auch das behalten was du geschrieben hast ab âto be proudâ)
No football team, no tennis club can bring people together like this music does. âBlasmusikâ can unite a 15 year old boy together with a 70 year old man solely through their instruments.
Itâs about the youth hanging on to the old traditions passed on by the elderly.
People usually call them crazy, because they play without pay,âŠbut even money canât buy what they get: Fun, friendship and a family .
And I guess thatâs what you call:
freedom
camera: max threlfall
words & videoedit: christoph wehrer
a supernative production
