Polka! The Movie-- at the Cleveland International Film Festival

This movie about music, sausages, and Slovenians in Cleveland was made for Slovenian TV. It's a valentine to polka, "the happiest sound around." Slovenians started coming to the U.S. as farmers in the 1860's, then helped build the new American industry here. About 80,000 people of Slovenian descent now live in the Cleveland area. Cleveland-style polka, which contains elements of jazz and ragtime, was featured on Slovenian radio programs starting in the 1920's. Tony Petkovsek's radio broadcasts continued the tradition, bringing the music to later generations. Community treasures in the film include the Slovenian Workmen's Home, the Slovenian Museum and Archives, Mitzi Jerman's pub, and the Polka Hall of Fame. There's footage of many polka greats including Eddie Simms, the Vadnal brothers, Johnny Pecon, and Frankie Yankovic, who at the height of his fame competed against Duke Ellington in a popularity contest-- and won. Sausage festivals and Father Frank Perkovich's Polka Mass round out the festivities. Don't miss a beat; POLKA!'s a treat. (In English and Slovenian with subtitles)--B.B.

Producer--Jake Hemler Cinematography--Jurij Nemec Editing--Matjaz Jankovic. Featuring--Joe Valencic, Frank Yankovic, Eddie Rodick, Cecilia Dolgan, Robert Dolgan, Jan Jones.  Print Source--Valencic and Associates/javalencic@yahoo.com.

Other Screenings--Ljublijana Int'l Film Festival, Slovenian Film Festival

About the Director:Born in 1964 and raised in Irija, Slovenia, Dusan Moravec is a former member of the prominent Solvenian punk band Kuzle. He has worked as a journalist and has directed 16 documentaries. Filmography--"Accordianists" (2005), "Ladies of the Skyscraper" (2006), "Meana is in the Air" (2007), "Talking Heads" (2009), POLKA! THE MOVIE(2010).

Showtimes: Tuesday, March 29 at 2:10 PM, Wednesday, March 30, at 4:50 PM, Saturday, April 2, at 9:20 AM. 90 minutes. At Tower City Cinemas.