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.

Joe Valencic