KÖHLERNÄCHTE - PURE CHARCOAL

Documentary, 93 min.
Cinema release in Switzerland: January 11, 2018

Until recently, charcoal burning was a widespread practice in Europe. In Switzerland, the production of charcoal supplied an important source of income for people in the woodland regions of the Jura, the Ticino, and around Mount Napf. Today, Western European charcoal burning is practiced almost exclusively in a museum setting – except in one region: in the woods around Bramboden, in Switzerland’s Entlebuch valley, charcoal burning is still practiced commercially.

Synopsis
The traditional charcoal production of Bramboden is unique in Europe. The steaming charcoal pile, the work with fire, covertly processes, a seeming alchemical transformation from wood to charcoal – there's definitely something magic about this craft. Over the past five years a film which shows the world of charcoal burners from an internal perspective has been created. "Köhlernächte" is an authentic, intimate, at times quite amusing portrait of various actors. They drink, smoke and swear in a politically incorrect way – at the same time their respectful interaction with people and domestic resources like wood, fire and smoke is impressive.

Equipe
Script & Direction                                 Robert Müller
Cinematography                                  Pio Corradi
2nd Camera                                         Luzius Wespe, Robert Müller
Music                                                   Fritz Hauser
Cut                                                       Kathrin Plüss, Mirella Nüesch
Sound                                                  Thomas Gassmann, Simon Graf, Salome Wüllner
Soundmix                                             Guido Keller
Sounddesign                                        Guido Keller, Thomas Gassmann
Color Grading                                      Ueli Nüesch
Producer                                              Zeitraum Film, Carola Kutzner
Co-Producer                                        SRF Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen, Urs Augstburger
Film Distributor                                    Filmcoopi Zurich

With the support of
Succès passage antenne SRG SSR, Swiss Federal Office of Culture (FOC), Canton of Luzern, Suissimage, Albert Koechlin Foundation, Ernst Göhner Foundation, FUKA FONDS Lucerne, The Municipality of Romoos, The Municipality of Meggen, The Municipality of Buttisholz, schaerholzbau ag, Krummenacher Gerüstbau

KÖHLERNÄCHTE (Pure Charcoal) World Premiere
DOK LEIPZIG - Festival for Documentary and Animated Film (DE), October/ November 2017

Awards
SWISS FILM AWARD 2018: Best Cinematography
TRENTO FILM FESTIVAL, International Competition, Prix de Jury

Festivals
DOK LEIPZIG - Festival für Dokumentar- und Animationsfilm (DE), November 2017
SOLOTHURNER FILMTAGE (CH), January 2018
TRENTO FILM FESTIVAL (I)  International Competition, April 2018
FILMKUNSTFEST MV Schwerin (DE) International Competition, May 2018
EDOC - FESTIVAL ENCUERTROS DEL OTRO CINE, Quito - (ECU), May 2018