Cross and Banner (2010)

CROSS AND BANNER (GLAUBE SITTE HEIMAT), directed by Jürgen Ellinghaus, is a colourful documentary about the very popular tradition of Marksmen's Festivals (Schützenfeste) in Germany. Marksmen's guilds or brotherhoods have their origins in the Middle Ages when marksmen were called upon to protect cities and rural areas against troubles, wars, and looting. Every two years, the small town of Beverungen, in the middle of Germany, celebrates its local Marksmen's Festival with numerous parades, a shooting competition, "Kings"and "Queens". In 2008, Beverungen had the honour of hosting the annual Confederal Festival of the Confederation of Historical German Marksmen's Brotherhoods with thousands of participants coming from all over the west of the country. District Kings and Diocesan Majesties competed for the title of the year's new "Confederal King"...