Documentary follows Bavarian bandleader from village to world stages

A new documentary follows Franz Himpsl and the Unterbiberger Hofmusik from their home village south of Munich to stages from Munich to Marrakesh, BR reports. “Über Unterbiberger” opens in cinemas on October 1.

The film begins with Himpsl playing a solo on his flugelhorn in front of the Pyramids of Giza, dressed in traditional Bavarian clothing. The image sets up a story about people and music that resist easy categorisation.

Himpsl founded the band with his wife, Irene, in 1992. Based in Unterbiberg, a village south of Munich, the group remains a family ensemble. Five members of the Himpsl family have performed together for years, playing tuba, two trumpets, horn and accordion. Musicians from around the world, including Brazil, Turkey and Syria, have also joined them as guests.

Himpsl says those musicians bring their own ideas to the group, adding that people do not need to speak the same language to make music together. The band has long moved beyond traditional brass music, and Himpsl says he had no musical background in his family. He trained as a sports teacher before pursuing music.

The documentary also shows that not every performance connects with its audience. But, the film suggests, Himpsl’s willingness to approach people and build connections matters most. Director Matthias Ditscherlein and Himpsl will tour Bavaria with the film in October, with stops including Starnberg, Regensburg and Ochsenfurt.