Synopsis
Hamon and Marcus, a German and an Afghan, armed with a Kalashnikov and a turban, take a journey through the Alps as Bavarian Taliban. The film follows the humorous yet critical art performance of these two cultural guerrilleros and their search for better integration in times of
thousands of refugees coming to Europe and new islamophobia.
Hamon – after 20 years without recognition – fights against everyday racism in Germany. Marcus opposes wars – small and large ones – and scrutinizes the wearing of traditional Bavarian Lederhosen. Both turn our reality upside down: the Bavarian Taliban come as supposed aid workers with the aim of civilizing Bavaria. But while Hamon is confronted with the prejudice of being a terrorist, his acting as Bavarian Taliban encourages him to deal more frankly with the challenges he faces. He looks for traditonal rifle clubs and beersensitive locations to test the tolerance of Germans and Austrians.
What looks like a comedy turns out to be a conflict: The duo adopts traditional German ‚homeland‘ evenings (Heimatabende) for their purpose, trying to find out how much tolerance is possible among strangers in nationalist-tainted environments. In doing so, they reflect about German myths of patriotism and homeland. The encounters with the local Alp populations mix with the firm desire of the Bavarian Taliban: Hamon and Marcus share a wish to become settled in Germany. Their vision is as ironic as it is real: while Europe calls for a better integration migrants are at risk.
Press Reviews (Selection):
„Ein großartiger Film“ / Heinz Badewitz, Hofer Filmtage
„Es spricht das Gespür der Künstler für das, was in der Luft lag“ / Die Welt
„Treffend. Mitten ins Ziel. Von bleibendem Wert“ / Kinozeit.de
„So lebt dieser eher unspektakuläre Dokumentarfilm von Martin Gerner, der seit Jahren als Journalist aus Afghanistan berichtet, in erster Linie von seinen gewitzten, grundsympathischen Protagonisten. Da sieht man es förmlich in den Köpfen der Zuschauer arbeiten: Ist so ein Afghane in bayrischer Tracht jetzt ein Beleg für dessen Integrationsbereitschaft? Oder vielleicht doch eher ein ungehörige Frechheit?“/ Filmdienst
„Mehr als sehenswert. Eine Lehrstunde über Fremdheit und Anders-Sein“ / Trailer Film- & Kulturmagazin
