Set-up finale for nine days of cinema at the rank: (from left) Christian Richter, Gabriel Weindauer, Katti Stummel, Clemens Gutmann and Robert Pietsch. © Lehmann
It's cinema-at-a-rank time again in Freising from Friday. In an interview, Robert Pietsch explains the costs and efforts that have been made for guests and residents.
Freising – Nine days of open-air cinema are on the calendar in Freising from today: It's cinema time again. One of the three people responsible took time for an interview during the stress of the build-up: Robert Pietsch tells us how to actively recruit more volunteers, how seriously complaints are taken, who has the last word in the selection of films, and why it may well be that the guests get their beer poured by a Freising celebrity.
Mr. Pietsch, what word best describes cinema at the rank of?
Summer feeling.
But they offer much more than cinema over the next nine days. Speaking of the open-air stage, what can guests look forward to? Was it difficult to find young musicians from the region?
We see ourselves as a cultural amplifier for Freising and as a talent promoter for our helpers and, of course, artists. For this reason, we consciously wanted to give young artists another platform this year. Especially those who didn't get a chance at the Night of Music. Our band team is very well networked in the Freising music scene and maintains contacts in the surrounding districts. So it was quite possible for us to put together a colorful music program. From singer-songwriters to punk to EDM DJs, it's all there.
Not only do the musical acts perform free of charge, but the entire Plus team also works on a voluntary basis. Are there always enough people who want to help?
A hat will go around for the musicians. So if you liked a performance, you can express it in the form of a donation. All helpers, both in the preparation and in the execution of the cinema, work on a voluntary basis and invest their free time to make this event happen. The association Prima Leben und Stereo can look back on almost 30 years of history. During this time, the helpers have changed continuously. New people have found their way to us, others have moved away from Freising – or their living conditions have changed so that they could no longer help. Due to the Corona period, it was very difficult for us to find new helpers.
What do you actively do to attract new members to the team?
A lot of our work is done by word of mouth. People see how cool our events are and just want to be a part of it. But in order to compensate for the Corona period, we are currently running an active helper search campaign with flyers, social media, etc. This not only leads to new helpers, but also to old helpers contacting us again.
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Old helpers? Does that mean that there are also "celebrities" at the bar?
It may well be that you get your beer poured at the cinema by someone you can count among Freising's "celebrities", yes. Anyone who would like to play an active role in shaping Freising can simply contact us on social media or by e-mail to helfer@primalebenundstereo.de.
Some complain because there is nothing going on in Freising. In the city centre, on the other hand – since there is no longer only construction noise, but also "fun noise" – people are always speaking out demanding peace and quiet. What are your experiences? Does cinema also interfere with the rank?
We have also gained various experience in this area. The topic around the Q-Bar for the Freising Night of Music was covered in detail in the local media and in the social media. As a cultural amplifier for Freising, our primary concern is to refute the statement "There is nothing going on in Freising". We recommend that every local resident simply participate in the events. Culture is allowed to stand out, culture is allowed to be unorthodox and culture is allowed to be loud from time to time. Of course, we also understand that some people feel disturbed by this. We take these complaints seriously because we are interested in working together.
Do you take the complaints seriously, does that mean what in concrete terms?
Last year, there were reports of residents complaining about the volume. Based on this, together with our technical service provider, we have come up with a different setup for the sound system for this year, in the hope that this will reduce the volume for the residents. In return, we are also prepared to pay significant additional costs for the technology. Because the cinema on the rank should be a nice event for everyone, for the guests, the residents and the organizers.
What criteria are used to select the films? Who gets to have a say and who has the last word?
Basically, we want to offer a program that is as varied as possible. Cinema stands for diversity, and we want to show it on the screen. Basically, we always do a brainstorming phase in which all helpers can contribute film suggestions. Our infrastructure team examines the proposals and clarifies other issues such as licenses and costs. With the advent of streaming, a lot has changed in recent years. Some film studios no longer license their films for events without admission, others charge very high prices, which are not feasible for us. Once all this has been clarified, our board of directors will finalize the program. Our film fanatic Christian Richter has the last word. Sometimes, however, suggestions come from elsewhere. This year, for example, the agenda group "Table for each other" of the city of Freising contacted us. She wanted to show a film on the subject of poverty in order to raise awareness of this very important issue. Since the request came early enough and the whole thing could be easily integrated into our short film evening, we were happy to take up the suggestion.
Your final boss is the weather: What did you do to influence this in a positive way? Consistently eat, pray, candle?
(laughs) So I always eat up. In fact, the weather plays the biggest risk at the cinema on the tier, as it does at any open-air event. Last year we were extremely lucky and were able to celebrate what is probably the most successful cinema of all time with nine days of sunny weather. This year we are very similar in terms of time, which gives us hope that there will be many beautiful days again this year when we can enjoy great films in the open air.
The only source of income for Kino am Rang is the sale of drinks. Here again the opportunity to finally appeal to everyone to leave their own beer/soda/water at home.
V. consists of many motivated, volunteers who have a lot of fun organizing the Kino am Rang. With motivation and fun alone, however, an event as big as the Kino am Rang cannot be accomplished. Therefore, support us by buying your drinks at one of our beer islands and leave your own drinks at home. For all those who feel like drinking something different, there will be a special stand this year, which offers daily changing specials to match the respective film.
