News from the king from Burladingen
| Television broadcast | |
|---|---|
| German title | News from the king from Burladingen |
| Country of production | Germany |
| original language | German |
| year | 2010 |
| Production company |
SMACfilm |
| length | 30 minutes |
| Episodes | 4th |
| genre | documentation |
| Director | Andreas Coerper , Susanne Müller |
| idea | Andreas Coerper, Susanne Müller |
| script | Andreas Coerper, Susanne Müller |
| music | Joachim Treu |
| First broadcast | September 15, 2010 on SWR BW |
| occupation | |
News from the King from Burladingen is a documentary series about the entrepreneur Wolfgang Grupp and his company Trigema , which was broadcast in 2010 in 4 episodes of 30 minutes each by SWR . It is a continuation of the film "The King of Burladingen".
The directors manage to give intimate insights into the life and work of one of the most idiosyncratic entrepreneurs in Germany. At high narrative pace, the viewer is led both into the group's private house and into a large number of departments in the Swabian textile manufacturer's factory. Furthermore, families in Burladingen are portrayed, some of whom have worked for Trigema for generations . As an equal partner, the entrepreneur's wife, Elisabeth Grupp , who also works for Trigema , takes the place of the main female role. The film team follows her into her helicopter, among other things, with which she flies to distant Trigema branches.
The film was shot in Burladingen and the surrounding area over a period of six months . He draws both tension and comedy from the juxtaposition of the almost patriarchal power relations at Trigema on the one hand and the attempt of all those involved to do justice to them in their everyday lives on the other. The result is the image of an entrepreneur who, insisting on "old-fashioned" basic principles such as honesty and a sense of responsibility, realizes a functioning company hierarchy that is viewed as acceptable or even desirable by all those involved. The interviewees describe their attitude several times as the "Swabian way".
content
episode 1
In the first episode we get to know the protagonists: the entrepreneurial family and the caretaker family with their relatives, who all work at Grupp. The Swabian thrift is just one of the issues that connects both sides.
While the entrepreneur picks up empty sheets of paper from the wastebasket in order to use them in the fax machine, the caretaker repairs garbage bags and uses them several times.
In the six-monthly meeting of the collection, there is a dispute over a nightgown designed by the company's designer and a sweatshirt made of Niki fabric. Both fail because of the boss's frugality. He wants to keep the collection as slim as possible. His wife Elisabeth Grupp and the designer Mrs. Schwarz want to keep fighting for the fashion innovations.
Episode 2
Elisabeth and Wolfgang Grupp once again have trouble with a saleswoman. The boss gets a fit of rage when he learns that the employee has been celebrating sick for weeks. The boss finally throws off the Niki sweatshirt.
Wolfgang Grupp attends a works council meeting in one of his sewing shops, while his wife sets off by helicopter to check several of the company's sales transactions. We learn that it is more and more difficult to find sales women and that the union is in a difficult position in Group’s company.
Caretaker Müller and his sister Ms. Ißleib prepare the meal for a tour group that takes part in a company tour.
Episode 3
Wolfgang Grupp has buried his latest technical innovation in a recycling yard: an organic T-shirt that rots without leaving any residue. Its properties should be demonstrated.
Ms. Ißleib's daughter, Silke, works in the baghouse. Her son is to be photographed for the textile company's catalog, and the family is celebrating communion.
Wolfgang Grupp travels to Austria to give a lecture. He explains to the assembled local politicians their dependence on the economy and maintains an entire hall with his unconventional corporate philosophy.
Group’s children, who are both studying in London, come to Burladingen to visit.
Episode 4
The daughter Bonita Grupp is made into a top model and photographed for the company catalog. It is difficult for her to move around in front of the camera according to the photographer's wishes. Nevertheless, Ms. Grupp is very satisfied with the results.
The whole Grupp family then spends the weekend in the Allgäu. Here we are informed, among other things, about the connection between Wolfgang Gruppe's passion for hunting and love.
It is Wolfgang Grupp's birthday and is leafing through old photo albums with his family.
The family grave under construction of the entrepreneurial family is to receive a four-meter high crossroad made of steel and bronze. There are anxious moments for the local artist when the monument he designed floats in place on a crane.
Quotes
The clerk Ms. Ißleib describes her position in the company as follows: "There is nobody behind me - everything is in front of me."
Wolfgang Grupp rejects color experiments in his collection and says: "I don't wear petrol!"
After a heated debate about the future collection between Wolfgang Grupp, his wife and the chief designer, Elisabeth Grupp explains her position in the company as follows: “My husband makes the decisions. But I decide what he decides. "