Soldatenglück und Gottes Segen

original title:
Soldatenglück und Gottes Segen
other titles:
(Soldier's luck and God's Mercy)
country / year of production:
Germany / 2002
original length:
90 min. , color
premiere:
4 July 2002, Köln
genre:
Documentary
based on:
director:
Ulrike Franke , Michael Loeken
film script:
producer:
cinematographer:
Jörg Adams
editor:
Niko Remus
composer:
cast (role):
more:
plot synopsis:
Ulrike Franke and Michael Loeken observe the everyday-routine of German soldiers who are part of the international KFOR-troops in Kosovo. They also show the military part of this mission but focus on the soldier's duties and spare-time inside the camp at Prizren in the center of the German sector in South Kosovo. 5.000 soldiers are stationed here for a term of six months, for most of the time without any contact to the civilian population. Ranke and Leoken look at how the Bundeswehr takes care of the soldier's morale, from shopping at the American PX to the soldier's radio station, Radio Andernach, to the concert of singer Gunter Gabriel with his version of Eric Burden's classic "House of the rising Sun".
keywords:
behind the lines , UN soldiers , comradeship , post-war era
war:
Yugoslav Wars (1991-1999)
literature:
Martina Knoben. "Dokumentarfilm über den deutschen Kosovo-Einsatz". In: epd-Film 19 (2002), 44-45.
remarks:
The film's Title is a quote of the commanding leutenant general of the Germany's ISAF contingent. Wishing his men "soldier's luck and God's mercy" he bid farewell to those troops leaving for their mission to Afghanistan - and not the Kosovo - in January 2002.

Directors Franke and Leoken did not use any commentary but the Bundeswehr and her soldiers much room for self-protrayal. In comparion to other nations with more experience in this kind of missions it becomes obvious that German radio presenters and press offivcers are still looking for the right tone.
availability: