Adventure Awaits in "The Secret Floor": The Awards-Winning Film for Young Minds
Secret Level Hidden Above Main Floor - Hidden Haven Takes Home the Golden Sparrow Award
Gear up for a thrilling journey back in time with "The Secret Floor", the sensational winner of the best feature film at the Golden Sparrow children's media festival in Erfurt and Gera. This captivating tale, masterfully directed by Norbert Lechner, transports us to the brink of World War II, where a heartwarming friendship between a boy and a Jewish girl unfolds.
Praising this daring approach, the children's jury acclaimed "The Secret Floor" as a "richly imaginative, suspenseful adventure with a wealth of historical insights into National Socialism."
Brave Storytelling
The film delves into the challenging but crucial topic of National Socialism, balancing gravity with child-friendly storytelling. Over the course of the film, young viewers are gently introduced to the darker aspects of history in a way that's both informative and engaging.
With this prestigious award, Norbert Lechner also received an additional honor: the special prize of the Thuringian Minister President, valued at 1,500 euros.
A Festival Favorite
This year, 32 films and series went head-to-head in six categories for the coveted Golden Sparrow awards, featuring the signature mascot. Additionally, six media offerings competed in the "Interactive & Digital Storytelling" category. As always, the jury of 30 children aged 9 to 13 from around the world determined the main prize winners. These budding critics hail from Germany, Switzerland, South Tyrol, Liechtenstein, Austria, Denmark, Luxembourg, and Romania.
A Cultural Cornerstone
Festival director Elisabeth Wenk underscores the significance of children's media: "they are not a niche product but a valuable cultural heritage with immense influence." Veterans in the field, the Golden Sparrow is celebrated as Germany's largest festival for German-language children's media, as noted by the organizers. It also serves as a platform for media experts to connect and collaborate. The next edition of the Golden Sparrow is set for June 7 to 13, 2023.
Synopsis: A Journey Through Time
Set in 1938, "The Secret Floor" revolves around Karli, a 12-year-old boy thrust into an abandoned hotel in the Alps as his parents embark on renovations. Momentarily stuck with dreary chores like scraping wallpaper, Karli stumbles upon a hidden floor in the hotel. An elevator on this floor sends him back through time to 1938.
In this rich historical setting, Karli meets Hannah, a Jewish girl, and George, a shoeshine boy. As George is falsely accused of theft, the trio team up to unravel the mystery behind the hotel's secret and save their friend. Along their adventure, they discover more than just peculiar occurrences – they unearth a hidden secret hidden behind the hotel's walls[1].
Main Themes:
- The power of friendship: The film explores bonds formed across barriers of time and social status.
- Facing history with courage: It encourages confronting difficult truths about the past.
- Upholding justice: The young heroes demonstrate bravery in standing up for truth and challenging injustice.
- Addressing National Socialism: The story takes place against the backdrop of the growing threat of National Socialism in Europe, highlighting its effects on Jewish individuals and society at large before World War II.
- The community policy regarding the Golden Sparrow children's media festival should consider providing more resources for the production of movies and TV shows that delve into historical topics like National Socialism, following the example of the award-winning film "The Secret Floor."
- As part of vocational training programs, it would be beneficial to introduce students to the art of storytelling in movies and TV, such as the methods used in "The Secret Floor," to develop their skills in creating engaging, informative, and culturally significant content.
