What do you mean with German? Through Namibia with Wolf von Lojewski
A 2-part travel documentary by the well known TV journalist Wolf von Lojewski through a unique country: Namibia. One meets interesting people in a fascinating backdrop. In “What do you mean with German” the author builds a bridge into the here and now from a time when Namibia was still a German colony.
Part 1: A Ovambo Named Gustav
Part 2: Tracks in the Sand
Date of Broadcast: 10.+17.10.2006
Broadcasting Station: ZDF
Namibia in notes – The Film music composers in Africa
What do you mean with German? Through Namibia with Wolf von Lojewski
The film music composers Tobias Boesel and Siegfried Rolletter travel musically through Namibia with the well known TV journalist Wolf von Lojewski. The viewers are being invited to come with them into a unique country. They meet with interesting people in a fascinating backdrop. In “What do you mean with German”, the author builds a bridge into the here and now from a time when Namibia was still a German colony. The ZDF broadcasts a two-part documentary on Tuesday, the 10.10. and 17.10.2006 at 8.15 p.m.
We have accompanied Wolf von Lojewski on his journey through Masuria and Australia. He always manages to draw the viewers’ attention and fascination to his films and presents country and people in a very interesting way”, thus Siefgried Rolletter. “The grand air shots of gigantic dunes and through breathtaking canons inspired us to a grand-scale orchestra music combined with African percussion instruments.”
As a contrast to the pompous film music, also reduced variations of the Namibia theme were arranged for the more thoughtful passages. They created, for example, a trio composition for the piano, cello and viola for the German graveyard, which reminds strongly of a German choral. Thus, the two composers always manage an approximation to the film title.
Namibia used to be a German colony until 1915 and only 15 years ago it achieved independence from South Africa. People still speak German. You can see black women in traditional costumes from the Wilhelmian times. There is a German newspaper, a carnival club with a carnival committee of eleven and dancing “funkemariechen”. This has a connecting effect. Perhaps it is possible to say the some places in Africa are more German than Germany?
Float with us in the captive balloon across the desert. No tracks in the sand just vastness and silence. Accompanied with a film music that evokes longing and curiosity for a foreign country.