Film and discussion with Birgit Lohmeyer
The film explores the dominance of the far right in the small village of Jamel. A music festival helps in the fight for democracy. “I can’t imagine living here. I would have left a long time ago,” remarks Fanta 4 rapper Smudo as he drives into the small village of Jamel. "When you’re so isolated here, surrounded by people with nationalist ideologies and feeling alone, it’s really good when everyone comes here and says: You’re not alone, we’re all in this together."
The village of 38 souls in northern Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is considered a stronghold of the far right. In the past, neo-Nazis specifically moved here. With right-wing slogans and symbols, they openly claim interpretive authority in the village. Right in the middle of it all: the artist couple Birgit and Horst Lohmeyer. In search of a rural idyll, the Lohmeyers moved to the village in 2004, underestimating the situation there, only to encounter far-right ideology, rejection, and even threats. After the Lohmeyers’ barn is set on fire by unknown perpetrators, they and their festival “Jamel Rockt den Förster” receive support from numerous musicians. In the years that followed, Die Toten Hosen were joined by bands and artists such as the Beatsteaks, Kraftklub, Samy Deluxe, Die Ärzte, Antilopen Gang, Casper, Marteria, Juli, Sportfreunde Stiller, Olli Schulz, Herbert Grönemeyer, Die Fantastischen Vier, and many more.
Birgit Lohmeyer introduces the film and talks about her unique daily life with far-right neighbors.