Australian television documentary about the Eurovision Song Contest
As part of the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 in Oslo, which, as is well known, was won by Lena Meyer-Landrut for Germany (or rather for the regional television station NDR as the responsible broadcaster in the ARD network), director Stephen Oliver made a documentary about the eventful history and the political significance of the ESC. As a child of the Cold War, this played an important and ultimately victorious role as a cultural ambassador in the systemic conflict with the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc. The ESC also contributed a lot to the formation of a European identity after the catastrophes of the Second World War. However, it is also critically noted that the ESC was designed from the start as a program for the whole family and therefore could not be innovative, cool and contemporary in its musical orientation from the outset. The only small exception that proves the rule is the victory of the Swedish band ABBA in 1974. After the fall of the Wall, there was an important opening to the East, as the former Eastern Bloc states were integrated into the singing competition, some with considerable success.
Even if the many political achievements attributed to the ESC in this documentary are certainly somewhat exaggerated, the interested viewer is offered an interesting journey through contemporary European history since the singing competition began in 1956. Great performances by ESC participants (Domenico Modugno, Cliff Richard, Celine Dion, Sertab Erener, Marija Serifovic, Alexander Rybak) are garnished with interview excerpts from ESC stars such as Lys Assia, Johnny Logan, Nicole, Mr. Lordi, Ruslana and Lena. In addition, experts from different disciplines also have their say, but they are probably better known in the Anglo-Saxon world. Only Sir Bob Geldof is likely to be known to the German audience. Contemporary historical events in different European countries are illustrated through archive material and linked to memorable appearances at the "Grand Prix".
The whole thing is mixed into an entertaining documentary that was broadcast on German television with the title "Twelve Points for Europe - From the Grand Prix to the Eurovision Song Contest". ESC fans will definitely get their money's worth, but this documentary is definitely a win for everyone else too.
