Travel Guide: Station 2, Braunschlag, Österreich
The next stop of Bohema travel guide — Austria. The summer residence of absurd, “Christianity” and bunnies-friendly series Braunschlag.
Foto: Braunschlag, ORF/Superfilm
I once met a traveller, who asked me what movie would catch the Austrian spirit. I told him India would do fine, or Muttertag, or Die Unabsichtliche Entführung der Elfriede Ott. But if he wanted a look into the Austrian soul, he would not find it in there. Rather, he would have to look at the miniseries Braunschlag by David Schalko from 2012. After watching the 8-part tv-show, he would understand, oh he would understand.
What is it about?
Braunschlag centers around the Lower-Austrian small town of “Braunschlag”, a typical kaff, if you will. And this town is in trouble, due to some mild corruption with Czech investors. In an attempt to fill the town’s cash register with tourists’ money, mayor Gerri Tschach (Robert Palfrader) and his best friend, bar-owner Richard Pfeisinger (Nicolas Ofczarek), try to fake an apparition of the Virgin Mary. Not long after, Braunschlag’s patriarch recovers from his death-bed due to some guinea pigs on his chest and wants to build the world’s greatest guinea pig park.
Foto: Braunschlag, ORF/Superfilm
And while Tschach’s plan does work for a while, the town and its people also get some unwanted attention. The Vatican sends an investigator (Manuel Rubey) to determine, whether the “wonder” is real or not, if he doesn’t get distracted that is. It doesn’t take long, for the town’s people’s behaviour causes more trouble than Tschach would have ever wanted.
This synopsis can only scratch the surface, and can only go so far, since I don’t wanna go into spoiler-territory that much. Even though the show is 9 years old. But it tackles various topics that are still relevant to this day, like corruption and (un)faithfulness, theological and marital. There is a huge subplot about who the father of Richard’s wife Elfi’s (Nina Proll) child is, since he is impotant. Speaking of impotency, the love-life of Gerri and his wife Herta (Maria Hofstätter) has also seen better days, once, a long time ago. That may be the reason Herta seeks some cuddling-time with a certain dressed-up bunny.
Then there is the question whether Ronnie (Christopher Schärf), their daughter’s boyfriend, will rob the town’s bank. Inept police-officers, rabid dogs running amok and impossible parents laying their legacies onto their children. And of course, everybody knows we Austrians love to spend time in our respective cellars.
Absurd comedy made in Austria
Braunschlag is the Austrian soul in a nutshell. We do love absurd comedies, and this show is exactly that, with a tick of realism inside. The connection between religion, family and politics is much closer, than one would believe. While it is never directly stated, but the political party in charge is probably the ÖVP, the conservative and “Christian” party of Austria. The ominous “uncle” from St Pölten is a reference to Lower Austria’s ex-governor Erwin Pröll, whose brother was vice-chancellor from Austria. While he never appears in person, his presence is felt. The political party is just a great and friendly family, except when it comes about money, apparently. In the end, Braunschlag becomes world-famous, but not in a good way.
Answers? Is this one of your silly “earth” things?
Just one thing: Do not expect any fulfilling answers. In the end, more and more absurd things occur, and only a few of them get answers. Demonic possession and possible extra-terrestrials in a fully abandoned ghost-town. Then again, that is kinda the Austrian way of filmmaking: “Don’t have any idea about how to end a story? Don’t worry, just throw in some random bullshit and it becomes artsy and meaningful”
Also, I think a show like Braunschlag wouldn’t work today in terms of sensibility and certain LGBTQI-topics. In addition, the penultimate episode introduces a new character we know nothing about, just so that another character can get more screentime.
Foto: Braunschlag, ORF/Superfilm
Verdict: be careful what you wish for
David Schalko’s miniseries does capture the absurdities of Austrian life. We Austrians could have such a pleasant life, but we mostly choose to ignore destiny’s offerings. The cast is great, there are lots of black-humour-moments, and the happenings occurring after the initial fake marian apparition give the show a lot of monkey’s paw-vibes. Sustaining in the end is friendship, that goes beyond disaster. But the lesson is also that one should be careful, what they wish for, for fame can go both ways.