So Close And Yet So Far Away – Migration And Integration In Austria

There is a great deal of talk about integration, parallel worlds, asylum and its abuse – and the theme “foreigner” has polarized an entire society. The fact is that there are about 1.4 million people living in Austria whose families migrants, or who have migrated themselves.

This film delves deep into the theme from different perspectives using real life examples and testimonies from experts and migrants themselves. The film is divided into three stand-alone modules;

• Part 1: a historic account of European migration from the beginning of the 1960s
• Part 2: the situation for legal and illegal refugees who have come to Austria
• Part 3: examples of successful integration.

THE BOHEMIAN FOREST---WILDERNESS IN THE HEART OF EUROPE

The Bohemian Forest lies in a region where Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic meet. Because of the East-West conflict this region was basically untouched for over 40 years, allowing the emergence of a primeval-like forest. Rare plant and animal life such as elk have been able to find a new existence here.

ENJOYMENT IS HEALTHY

Eating is more than just taking nutrition into the body. Under the motto “eating is healthy”, this film calls for a more conscience approach to eating.

WHEN GAMBLING BECOMES ADDICTIVE

As long as one gambles for fun, everything is fine, but for many gambling quickly becomes an addiction. For young people it usually begins with computer games. In this film, people discuss how they became hooked and how they have tried to escape their addictions.

ORGANIC FARMING IN AUSTRIA

Austria is a European leader in organic farming. In this film, camera crews accompany a miner and a farmer in Lower Austria. The film explores the concept of “organic” and why ecological farming is a long-term recipe for success.

LAKE CONSTANCE - GEM IN THE HEART OF EUROPE

Lake Constance is the drinking water reservoir for almost five million people in Baden-Württemberg. At the same time it is an eldorado for many kinds of birds who live here during the summer.

IRAN---LIFE IN AN UNKNOWN COUNTRY

Today Iran is often in the centre of international politics, yet the country´s economic, welfare and social situation remains unknown to most. In five episodes this film attempts to provide a better understanding of contemporary Iran. An additional film looks at life and survival in the deserts of Iran. Most of the country consists of deserts, which are primarily located in the centre of the country. The lives of the people there stand in sharp contrast to the people who live in urban metropolises such as Tehran or Esfahan.

A VILLAGE TRIES TO SURVIVE

This is the story of a village along the Austrian-Hungarian border. Many villagers have left because there are no jobs and it doesn´t pay to farm the land. Those who remain behind look for strategies to maintain the village structures and to help their village survive.

MYTHS OF THE ALPS

Since ancient times the High Alps have been a place of extreme and bizarre landscapes, powerful natural phenomena and a place of deprivation for both people and animals. In such an atmosphere myths and sagas are lent a certain powerful impact. In this context, a critical view is given to the traditions and rituals of the Alpine region.

ZUGSPITZE

Restaurants at the summit of the “Zugspitze” – Germany’s highest mountain - are the focus to assess the positive and negative factors that mass tourism has on a high alpine regions.