Documentary film Our name is Hanka and its premiere in Brieske!

Documentary film Our name is Hanka and its premiere in Brieske!

A very special cinematic event awaits viewers in Lusatia: The documentary “Here’s called Hanka” will premiere on July 25, 2025 in the Brieske mine and bathhouse. In this impressive work, director Grit Lemke, who herself has Sorbian roots, goes on a touching journey to discover Sorbian identity. The film starts at 9 p.m., the doors open an hour beforehand to ensure relaxed entry. The ticket prices are excellently economical at 6 euros and a reduced price of 4.50 euros in order to enable as many interested parties as possible to visit.

But what is “Here’s called Hanka” actually about? The film focuses on the resurgence of Sorbian culture and language in Lusatia, where around 60,000 Sorbs live, the smallest Slavic people in Europe. This region, particularly characterized by industrial development and rural idyll, offers a fantastic backdrop for the stories that Lemke tells. The film follows various protagonists, including artists and young farmers, and illuminates their life plans and their connection to a long-forgotten culture that carries deep emotional content.

Exploring Sorbian identity

The audience experiences how the protagonists are confronted with the topics of language, traditions and trauma through their personal stories. Some, like Martin, a fan of the Energie Cottbus football club, accidentally discover their Sorbian roots and thereby change their view of themselves and those around them. Ignac, on the other hand, lives his identity consciously and communicates exclusively in Sorbian. This overlap of identities offers exciting approaches to discussing cultural diversity and identity in the 21st century, which are impressively presented in the film.

The film does not require any historical digressions; Instead of dry facts, he relies on the emotional rollercoaster rides of his protagonists, which will captivate viewers. Older video recordings and photographs are also shown, which bring past Sorbian culture to life. This visual historical narrative is at the same time a call to appreciate and revive Sorbian traditions.

Cultural summer and more

The premiere of “Our name is Hanka” is not only a highlight of the cultural summer of the Oberspreewald-Lausitz district, which offers extensive programs such as open-air cinema, concerts, theater performances and adventure tours until September 2025. It is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to engage with Sorbian culture, which has been under pressure for many decades. While the Sorbs were significantly oppressed in the German Empire and during National Socialism, Sorbian culture is experiencing a new awakening today.

The director sets an important example for the visibility of Sorbian topics. Taking her own story into account — she remembers her Sorbian grandmother and her own experiences with the language — it becomes clear that this is not just a film about Sorbs, but also about the search for identity and cultural heritage.

If you would like to find out more about the exciting project, you can find further information on the website Culture Courier, Evangelical newspaper and Art and film. The anticipation for this documentary is great and invites you to deal with an often overlooked culture in Germany.