Cleveland Polka Film Broadcasts on TV Slovenia
A new film about the Cleveland-Style polka scene http://tvslo.si/predvajaj/polka-film-o-glasbi-klobasah-in-slovencih-v-ameriki-1-2/ava2.68903718/
is broadcasting on TV Slovenia in May. "Polka! The Movie," written by Polka Hall
of Fame Trustee Joe Valencic and directed by Dusan Moravec, features interviews with
polka folks ranging from legends like Joey Miskulin, Richie Vadnal, Walter Ostanek
and Cilka Dolgan, to younger performers such as Kim Rodick, Joey Tomsick and Johnny
Koenig. The camera crew captured scenes at the Polka Hall of Fame's Slovenian Sausage
Festival, the Polka Mass at SNPJ Farm, and Mitzi Jerman's hundred-year-old cafe,
among other locations. Joe Valencic narrates the film and shares stories about how
popular the Slovenian sound was across America when Frank Yankovic scored million-selling
hits. The film also shows the Cleveland-style enduring popularity at festivals and
events, such as Tony Petkovsek's Thanksgiving polka weekend. Part One of "Polka!
The Movie" premiered on Sunday, May 9 and, Part Two on Sunday, May 16. The film opened
the 2010 International Documentary Film festival in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in March.
Slovenian film critics applauded the documentary as shedding light on Slovenian contributions
to American popular music. Father Frank Perkovich and his unique Polka Mass were
a revelation to Slovenian viewers. "Polka! The Movie" is being subtitled and edited
for screening in the United States and Canada with a premiere in Cleveland. Details
will be forthcoming for the gala debut. In the meantime, portions of the film can
be viewed on the TV Slovenia website: www.rtvslo.si.
