Als die Kohle verschwand (2021)

A documentary film about the former coal mining in the federal state Saarland in Germany. The film accompanies miners to various locations that are of particular importance to them and their past. These include former mining sites, but also private places where it becomes apparent how the people are trying to process their past or even bring it back to life. Questions arise, such as how the constant danger at such a difficult workplace and the associated machinery was dealt with - with a close look at processes and memories from the life of the protagonists. A big topic and the emotional climax of the film is the horrifying eyewitness report about one of the worst mining accidents in German history which happened in "Luisenthal" on the 7th February of 1962. Another topic is how the people hold on to the culture, which is rooted in the long history of mining in Saarland. And of course we get to know people up close and find out how they are doing today and what drives them. The coal was the nucleus of an entire country. No other branch of industry has had such a lasting impact on people's lives here. The numerous locations were shut down more and more towards the end and the last mine in Saarland was shut down in 2012. But what remains after more than 250 years of eventful history? How are those who have devoted their entire lives to this difficult, dangerous job, and what do they want to tell us?