Amateurfilm - Kino Nassau presents...

Urmel from the Ice - How the animals on the South Sea island Titiwu learn to talk

performed by the amateur theater "Die Oase" in Montabaur

recorded by the Amateur Film Club Montabaur in 1998

Admission is free

Just like in the book, Professor Tibatong, who fled from his homeland, teaches the animals to speak on the remote South Sea island of Titiwu. These include the monitor lizard Wawa, the penguin Ping, the shoebill Schusch, the pig Wutz, and the sea elephant Seelefant. Also living there is the orphan boy Tim. One day, an egg washes ashore on Titiwu island and is hatched. An Urmel emerges, thereby proving the professor's theory, which got him banished from his homeland Pumpolonien. Max Kruse, the author of this play, born November 19, 1921, died September 4, 2015, son of the sculptor Max Kruse and puppet artist Käthe Kruse, was a German writer and children’s book author. His children's book "Urmel" was performed in 1998 by the amateur theater "Die Oase" as part of their children’s theater program. Rainer Mies composed the music for this children’s theater piece. He founded the cultural band "Vagabunden" in Montabaur 50 years ago together with three other musicians.

"Making films" is a hobby with endless topics and unlimited room for creativity and imagination. In 1961, five young men with the initials mo ro sa wi ba founded an association which became today’s Film Club Montabaur. Nowadays, anyone has access to a computer for editing material. Mobile phones now deliver sharper film sequences than many Super 8, VHS, or DV films of the past. So why still need a club? It’s due to the ambition of its members. "We dislike shaky, jittery, zoom- or pan-heavy scenes, and wild sequences thrown together – totally lacking any film logic." Our films are always serious. In our films, image content, commentary, authentic atmosphere, and music complement each other to optimize the overall impression. This is complex and requires continuous dialogue among club members. "Our main task is to document cultural events of our hometown Montabaur and its surroundings in image and sound, and to make them accessible to the public." Due to this mission, it was possible to record theater performances of the amateur theater in Montabaur to preserve them as films for posterity.

The amateur theater "Die Oase" in Montabaur has enriched the cultural life of the region with creativity and passion for over 50 years. The "Oasians" are a team of dedicated theater enthusiasts who bring creativity and heart into their work, regardless of personal or professional background. "Die Oase" was founded on January 12, 1965, at the Wehler restaurant in Dernbach. The amateur theater "Die Oase" in Montabaur developed in 1965 from the district youth drama group. The group’s goal was to perform modern plays throughout the district. After the then very renowned amateur theater group "Die Karawane" from Düsseldorf, the drama group chose the name "Die Oase." The caravans of Westerwald (at that time the only amateur group in Westerwald) were meant to march to the only watering place, the oasis – the well of amateur theater. In the following years, "Die Oase" built a loyal audience with appealing productions. Guest performances in England and France and open-air theater in the courtyard of Montabaur Castle were highlights of this time. The new theater was opened with "Stepping Out" by Richard Harris after the old theater barn had to give way for the ICE route. The building, perfectly adapted to the needs of an amateur theater, has since its creation been the foundation for solid, continuous, and successful stage work.

Photos: F.Büssow; Text: F.Büssow, P.Dick, Die Oase