{"id":359698,"date":"2025-12-04T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.motorprosa.com\/?p=359698"},"modified":"2025-12-09T15:36:32","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T13:36:32","slug":"stilfser-joch-abseits-der-kehren-the-movie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.motorprosa.com\/en\/stilfser-joch-abseits-der-kehren-the-movie\/","title":{"rendered":"Stilfser Joch \u2013 Abseits der Kehren. The Movie."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"MotorProsa
Lesedauer \/\/ Reading time: 6<\/span> Min.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Sometimes great things arise from quick ideas, fleeting thoughts and late-night conversations. Wild ideas come together to form something concrete, and suddenly you find yourself in the middle of a project.<\/em><\/strong>
Welcome to the movie \u201cStilfser Joch \u2013 Abseits der Kehren\u201d.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"200
Stelvio – 200 years<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Das<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Before you read, please note<\/strong>: this post was translated with the help of Deepl<\/a>.
If you find any errors \u2013 please have fun first and then give me a hint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are roads that are more than just asphalt and curves \u2013 they are places of longing. The route to the Stelvio Pass, built 200 years ago, is one of them for me. For decades, riding through the 48 hairpin bends of the eastern ramp has been part of my life as a motorcyclist. And even after more than 30 years, every visit to Italy’s highest pass is a special experience for me \u2013 whether by motorcycle, bicycle, car or on foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The content of www.MotorProsa.com also thrives on this. This did not go unnoticed, which is why Alex Milz<\/a>, filmmaker and motorcycle traveler, wrote to me at some point. We immediately hit it off, one word led to another, and the idea of a cinematic portrait of the Stelvio<\/a> was born.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A
 magnificent idea<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alex’ movies impress viewers with their steady camera work, exceptional image and sound quality, and Alex’s particularly pleasant voice. And last but not least, they captivate with their depth. One example is his movie \u201cGriechenlands vergessene D\u00f6rfer<\/a><\/strong>\u201d \u2013 a masterpiece that left me speechless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But making a movie about the Stelvio Pass? Another one? YouTube is already overflowing with poser scenes and, more recently, crash scenes. Thousands of action cameras have now completely digitized the road, and every day drones fly around competing with the alpine choughs. Everything has already been filmed at the Stelvio Pass\u2014just not by everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So from the outset, we asked ourselves: What happens beyond the hairpin bends<\/em><\/strong>, where the power of nature dominates? What stories do the people who live in this region tell? What and whom does the Joch divide, and what and whom does it connect?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research
 as a gift<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alex and I met at the end of May 2024 and immersed ourselves in books and websites. For a week, we roamed the Upper Vinschgau Valley in search of filming locations, because the path to the pass was blocked. We looked up at the snow, yellowed by Sahara sand, filled notebooks with ideas and scene images, and threw the script out several times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Recherche-Arbeiten

Stelvio research, due to the winter closure from the valley<\/h3><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We poured our passion into this idea\u2014and were richly rewarded. Not only did Alex manage to recruit his son Daniel<\/a> as an outstanding cameraman, but we also came into contact with Arthur Gfrei, THE Stelvio Pass expert. We had both devoured his book \u201cDie Stilfserjochstra\u00dfe<\/a>\u201d beforehand, and Arthur also gave us access to his huge archive and granted us an in-depth interview. A highlight of our research was the excursion with him to the pass and the remains of the front line from the First World War.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that’s not all: Wortwerkstatt<\/a> organized an electric motorcycle and a radio communication solution for us for the shoot. The Prad Tourism Association<\/a> supported our project in an uncomplicated and generous manner. The Burgsch\u00e4nke Schluderns<\/a> allowed us to start filming at Churburg Castle. Christian Thoma provided us with unique footage of the construction of the Tibet hut<\/a> and took care of food and lodging for the entire crew. And we were able to recruit Lanfranco Sorvillo, who could probably drive the 48 hairpin bends blindfolded, as the driver for our camera car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stories
 that touch your heart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The movie was not only intended to illustrate and inform, but also to move viewers. We chose locations that spoke for themselves and did not require voice-over commentary. We sought out emotional moments and found them in restaurants, living rooms, and right on the roadside. We kept the interviews informal, asking few questions so we could listen more attentively. We ended up with a mosaic of impressions that ultimately shed new light on the Stelvio Pass road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Filming

We certainly put in some effort.<\/h3><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201eAbseits der Kehren<\/strong>\u201c is an invitation to take a fresh look at the Stelvio Pass. Not as a sporting challenge on a motorcycle or in a sports car, and not as a backdrop for selfies, but as a memorial and a monument, a link between regions, cultures, and ultimately people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online (with English subtitles) at youtube.com\/alexonroad<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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