This post is also available in:
Italiano (Italian) 
Deutsch (German)
by Various Authors
grade: 7.5
Life in the small town flows peacefully. The camera, with its simple, essential shots, acts as a silent witness to it all. And through a direct, straightforward staging devoid of any virtuosity, Im alten Feldkirch finds its ideal form. Restored by Filmarchiv Austria and presented on the Filmarchiv On channel.
A gem of Vorarlberg
To fully understand the essence of a place, one must first and foremost observe the daily lives of its inhabitants. This goes beyond any focus on monuments, churches or natural beauty. Indeed, numerous film-makers and documentary-makers seem to have realised this over the years, and have increasingly chosen to place at the centre of their work the very people who make the places they visit each day come alive and vibrant. Particularly interesting in this regard is the short documentary Im alten Feldkirch, made in 1936, which is part of the project Alten Städtchen in Österreich and has recently been restored by Filmarchiv Austria and presented on the Filmarchiv On channel.
Feldkirch, therefore, is the second-largest city in Vorarlberg after Dornbirn, although, given its economic and institutional importance, it is unofficially considered the true capital of the federal state. Im alten Feldkirch, therefore, takes us by the hand on a brief and fascinating journey right into the heart of this world, and in just a few minutes perfectly conveys the sense of how, during the interwar period, the local inhabitants used to spend their days.
And so, this charming little film Im alten Feldkirch opens with a panoramic shot of the town from above. The town centre is particularly lively. The buildings are well-maintained and elegant, and Schattenburg Castle is, in fact, considered the town’s main attraction. Then, little by little, the focus shifts increasingly to the people of Feldkirch. The camera ventures into the narrow streets of the old town, and even into the courtyards of private homes. Some passers-by are busy with their daily activities, whilst it is particularly interesting to see a few women dressed in traditional costumes leaving their homes and chatting amongst themselves.
Yes, because, in fact, if we compare this Im alten Feldkirch with other documentaries made in Austria during the early decades of the 20th century – which were also intended to showcase and highlight the beauty of the area – we realise how, here, human beings themselves are often treated as the main protagonists within a setting in which streets, landscapes and buildings almost serve as a frame to depict something far broader.
Life in this small town flows peacefully. The camera, with its simple and essential shots, acts as a silent witness to it all. And it is precisely through this direct, unpretentious staging that Im alten Feldkirch finds its ideal form. There were still several years to go before the outbreak of World War II. No one at that time could have imagined what was about to happen. And yet, simply enjoying an afternoon by the river already seemed, in itself, a precious gift.
Original title: Alte Städtchen in Österreich
Directed by: Various Authors
Country/year: Austria / 1936
Running time: 3’
Genre: documentary
Screenplay: Various Authors
Cinematography: Various Authors
Produced by: Various Authors