Ode to Cologne

In the Netherlands, the German rock band BAP is mainly known from the political song Kristallnaach, about the post-war mentality in Germany – a classic in the squatters’ movement. This song is not included in Wim Wenders’ ode to the Cologne-based band, but otherwise it is a comprehensive, chronological portrait. BAP has existed since 1976; the accessible rock songs, included in their entirety in the film, are so striking because of the ever bitter-melancholy melodies, lyrics and voice of singer Niedecken. ODE TO COLOGNE is especially a portrait of him, a constant amidst the changing make-up of the band over the past twenty years. Wenders, known from feature films like PARIS, TEXAS, but also from the music documentary BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB, creates a warm, feature film-like atmosphere with a flowing camera and some photos that come to life. In addition, many scenes have been dramatised. Wenders associates the lyrics in this show with BAP’s history in Cologne, with ample archive footage of the band and of the relevant era – from the first performance in Cologne by The Rolling Stones to images of extreme right-wing arson. The band sings in Kölsch, the local dialect, and couples an amiable Cologne nationalism to a left-wing political attitude. They have done so for many years, as Wenders shows when he edits different versions of their breakthrough hit Verdamp lang her into a whole. ‘Hück kütt mer vüür, als wenn et jestern wöör.’