Competition


SHEPHERDS' JOURNEY INTO THE THIRD MILLENNIUM
HIRTENREISE INS DRITTE JAHRTAUSEND




Country of production: Switzerland
Year: 2002
Language: Swiss-German
Mins: 124

Director: Erich Langjahr
Cinematography: Erich Langjahr
Music: Hans Kennel
Editing: Erich Langjahr
Sound: Silvia Haselbeck
Producer: Erich Langjahr
Production company: Langjahr Film GmbH
Source: Erich Langjahr
Langjahr Film GmbH
Luzernerstrasse 16
CH-6037 Root, SWITZERLAND
Phone: +41 41 450 22 52
Fax: +41 41 450 22 51
info@langjahr-film.ch
www.langjahr-film.ch

From a statement by the director:
Following ALPINE BALLAD and THE PEASANTS' WAR, SHEPHERDS' JOURNEY INTO THE THIRD MILLENNIUM is the third film of a trilogy in which I deal with the fundamental issues of human beings and their existence. The main themes are the issues of identity, survival, and future.

One of the oldest cultural forms of human existence is that of the shepherd. In its essence it is of economic interest even today, and also embodies a distinct lifestyle and worldview. I wanted to get to know the life of today's shepherds on the threshold of the third millennium. In a time of upheaval and changes in values between tradition and future, the film is also an expression of my own inner conflict.

I tell a modern shepherds' story, based on transhumance, that transfer of herds between the seasons in search of greener pastures.

The shepherds in the film take on a life of privation and face a challenge that often reaches the limit of their capacities. They do not come from an agricultural background, but have chosen this life themselves out of a need for the freedom to do something meaningful.


Erich Langjahr was born in Baar, Switzerland, in 1944. He has been making films since 1971. Since 1977, he has been a member of the Swiss federation of film directors and writers.

filmography as director
(selected)
HIRTENREISE INS DRITTE JAHRTAUSEND (2002)
SENNEN-BALLADE (1996)
UNTER DEM BODEN (1992)
O.K. (1983)
DO IT YOURSELF (1982)
MADE IN SWITZERLAND (1981)
MORGARTEN FINDET STATT (1978)
USA-TIME (1975)
BAHNHOF (1973)

Sunday 04-Apr-2004 1:00 PM Facets Cinematheque
Wednesday 07-Apr-2004 9:00 PM Doc Films