And from which province do you come from?
Author: Dr. Kenneth Anders

From the Potsdamer Platz in Berlin up to the Eberwalder market place is only 60 kilometers, but it appears as if both locations are found in different worlds. Here the metropolitan area, which suns under its new risen significance, there the province, which bravely endeavors a new perspective to life due to the structure of  industrial modification. Here the Berlinale, there the Eberswalde film festival, which presents itself from this year on with self confidence and silent irony as the Provinziale.  

"Films for the province - Films about the province". With this theme , they are two  features described. On one side the association Sehquenz e.V. continues his long lasting work and show films from all over the world, which the interested audience would never have had the opportunity to see. On the other side the province should thematically be in the documentary film section impregnated. We are interested in the life perspectives from people beyond the most desired settlement areas; their hopes and worries, their daily bread and the community esteem  that  they experience. This questions are answered very differently all around the world.

Province global - this means infinite diversity: An american folkore band and a village orchestra from Lower Saxony, Bavarian ecological farmers and Mexican children, social allocation beneficiary in Angermünde and retired Italians are encountered at the Provinziale. Such a spread may seem chaotic on the first look, but actually it is very enriching and illustrative. Provinces from the whole world come together, like people who have things to tell each other. They report, from the life which is undergoing aside the bigger market places.       
This life is not always attractive - Province is often marked by corruption, divulgation and the feeling of depression. Some landscapes are threatened to be degraded to factory area., Here,  breathing air is being taken away from the inhabitants, the soil destroyed and water is robbed. Additionally, in many regions the cultural bandages are so tight, that the people escape to the cities.

Somewhere else, the province appears to be the perfect room for authenticity, creativity, responsibility and freedom. The ones, who would watch the documentary films at the Eberswalder film festival, could win the impression that the decisive changes of this century takes place in the province. Because since the large capital do not have any longer interest in small towns, mountain villages or flat land are also chances. The community alterations are felt painfully especially here. Clarity, self-organisation and creativeness flourish best under such pain. The people can handle their traditions playfully and therefore reinvent the world, because they have been marked by provincial experiences themselves.  

Who once learned, to look in the province with curiosity, will not be able to see enough. It is an adventure, a brainteaser - and a kaleidoscope on different human approaches to let life succeed.

The author : As a cultural scientist Dr. Kenneth Anders is very occupied with questions on the landscapes development. For the film festival in Eberswalde, he worked in the program advisory committee , which makes the choice for the films in the competition.