Fanni – or: How do you save a tavern? movie review

In 2024, the Bavarian tourism center had a survey to perceive the Bavarian inn in the German total population (not only in Bavaria). The result: More than 70 percent of the respondents perceive the village restaurants as a social and social meeting point for encounter and exchange. So a place that strengthens the feeling of togetherness. But what if these meeting points disappear increasingly? Hubert Neufeld is already asking a question in the title of his documentary, which is of central importance, especially for many Bavarian villages and communities: “Fanni – or: How do you save a tavern?“

After all, the number of village economies continues to drop in Bavaria. The tranquil Pischelsdorf (almost 480 inhabitants) in the Upper Bavarian district of Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm has not had its own inn for a long time. But at some point the village community no longer wanted to put up with it. As part of a large -scale, multi -year joint project, they renovated and renovated the old village economy Fanni, which had previously been empty for 40 years. Neufeld, himself a native of Pischelsdorfer, was there with his camera and accompanied the work on all phases from June 2021 to July 2023.

“Without a tavern a Stückerl poorer”

“If there is no longer any such meeting point, the village of a piece is poorer,” says Norbert, one of the initiators of the renovation project. “I drank my first beer here in my youth. You don't forget that,” he adds. In the course of the film, we get to know Norbert and his colleagues Thomas, Konrad and Klaus better if they talk about the challenges in the repair and their motivation in detailed conversations, to show the “old fanni” and to make it shine in new splendor. Because one thing quickly becomes clear: it had to be brought together old and new things. The Pischelsdorfer wanted to reopen the inn, which is located in a 150 -year -old building, under new, modern conditions. The spirit of the old tavern, at least the oldest house in the middle of the village, should be preserved. Franziska “Fanni” Riedmaier, who had operated the inn for many years, finished this promise on the heir on the deathbed.

In general, the spirit of this fanni always seems to float over this document that was implemented with meticulousness and great attention to detail. Neufeld excavated old (black and white) photos of her, and he also presents historical recordings of the tavern and Pischelsdorf. He skillfully complements this visual journey through time with scenes of current country life. Unaffected nature, animals, meadows and river valleys. Drone shots of the picturesque environment around Pischelsdorf and the landscape on the ILM convey the image of another world. A kind of peaceful, self -contained parallel universe in the country, far from the hustle and bustle of the hectic city.

But even Pischelsdorf, the change of time does not pass without a trace. This “time change” and the problems that arise for a small rural place such as Pischelsdorf explain clever interventors and experts. They explain the reasons for the increasing loss of inns. In doing so, you look at the topic of “host home death” against the background of the structural changes as well as general transformation of the villages and rural areas – and in this way put it in a larger, more comprehensive connection.

As is well known, not only the number of taverns has been radically declining in many communities for years. “Bavaria has lost half of its independent butchers and bakers in the past 20 years,” said Richard Loibl, director of the Bavarian History House in Augsburg. The competition from supermarkets and discounters, the increased cost pressure and the leading, paralyzing bureaucracy are responsible for this. In addition to the competition by the homes of the local sports clubs, Loibl sees that “bureaucracy monster”, not least as the main cause of the “death of the tavern”: “You actually want to be a cook or innkeeper and do your passion. And not sit in the office for three hours after work.”

A cultural history of the tavern

It is important for the audience to understand why the inn is particularly important in Bavaria. Especially for those cinema seekers who do not come from Bavaria and do not know this tradition first hand. Local researchers and regional historians give the answer and classify the topic of cultural history. Including one who needs to know: Hans Schneider, home artist and himself. He describes the inn as the “living room of the community”. Always, with the beginning of the inn history in the 16th century, be it a general meeting place and reflection of village life. Everything that took place in the community had taken place there, in the “good Stubb”.

Neufeld coherently connects the interview passages with impressions and recordings from the village day, for example when setting up the maypole. In these, sometimes very personal and intimate moments that capture the emotions of the residents completely unfiltered, you can get closer to the Pischelsdorfer. The director dispenses with sentimentalities and confidently shifts the dangers of a kitsch factor that is almost imposed on this topic. Only in the scenes that capture the hustle and bustle during the may festival and at the very end again, he uses a little too often pathetic slow motion shots of laughing, joyful faces. Accompanied by nostalgic colored, homely brass music.

Grind, drill, hammer

Neufeld admits a lot of screentime to the recordings of the conversion, which are characterized by liveliness and activity – and that show what can be done in community work. Thomas, Konrad, Klaus and Norbert as well as other hard -working helpers (50 in number). From interior design to work on the facade to the renovation of the roof structure of the barn adjacent to the inn:

“Fanni – or: How do you save a tavern?” Documented how much effort and effort are behind such an undertaking. And the documentary does not hide the annoyances and difficulties that endangered the overall project. Including a delivery cover owed in the energy crisis for windows and roof tiles, which led to considerable delays on the Pischelsdorf “Wirtshaus construction site”.

Variety arises from the change of locations and “places of action”, for example when Neufeld visits the carpenter from the neighboring village. This was entrusted with the restoration of the Fanni's original mobiliar to preserve even more from the original and rustic character of the previous economy. Speaking of rustic: The dry comments from the four initiators, which are characterized by ironic lightness and winking joke, ensure joy and smile in between. Also – or better: especially – when things don't go so smoothly.

Conclusion: An Upper Bavarian village is looking for a cultural and social center – and finds it in the old tavern, which has been orphaned since the 1980s. The documentary “Fanni – or: How do you save a tavern?” accompanies a committed village community in the renovation and renovation work. And it shows what can arise from willpower, cohesion and perseverance.