Dir. Hannes Lang - 2019 - Germany - No Dialogue

A cinematic journey into the soundscape of the Alps, where alpine shepherds live far from the bustle of the city. Centuries living in close commune with their cows, sheep and dogs has influenced their daily lives, even the language they speak. Building from the idioms, songs and ringing commands of the cattle farmers, RIAFN is a musical documentary driven by local character and rhythm.

"Finding the right form, dramaturgy and appropriate running time of RIAFN was a long process that occurred over two summers spent on various pastures in the Alps. As I familiarised myself with the subject it became clear to me that an approach to what actually takes place there on a daily basis could be represented most meaningfully by means of an aesthetic transformation of the medium into something magical and surreal - something that would allow the proceedings to preserve a sense of their mystery." Hannes Lang