Three years ago, film history was written in the Montafon: In the middle of the impressive backdrop of the Garneratal in Gaschurn, a work that moved people worldwide was created – intense, uncompromising, profound. “Sleep brother”, based on the novel of the same name by the Vorarlberg author Robert Schneider, became a award -winning international cinema event under the direction of the world -famous Joseph Vilsmaier. In September 2025, the moving history around the music genius Elias Alder returns to the place of its creation – with anniversary celebrations in Gaschurn, the location and scene of the world’s performance in 1995.
Based on Robert Schneider’s novel of the same name, “Sleep Brother” was staged by director Joseph Vilsmaier in 1995. An authentic mountain village of the 18th century was built in the Montafon community of Gaschurn for the shooting-with great attention to detail, including Oscar winner Rolf Zehetbauer. The dramatic mountain landscape of the Garneratal became the independent figure of the film – rough, wild and deeply touching.
With André Eisermann, Ben Becker and Dana Vávrová, an impressive star cast, supplemented by numerous indigenous actresses, who awarded the film its unmistakable authenticity. Its music is also inseparable to the effect of the film: The urgent compositions by Hubert von Goisern and Norbert (Eliott) Schneider give the history of emotional depth, musical force and its own language. The film tells of the destructive power of passion, the beauty of music and struggle with fate. And he asks a simple but profound question in the room: Whoever loves does not sleep.
Return to the origin
On September 9, 1995, the film celebrated its world premiere in Gaschurn – in the open air and accompanied by around 7,000 enthusiastic visitors. 30 years later, “Sleep Brother” returns to the place of its creation. Between September 9th and 20th, 2025, a program is offered in Gaschurn as emotional and diverse, which, among other things, comes up with an anniversary exhibition with staged visual worlds, a guided hike to the original locations as well as a souvenir evening and open-air cinema with performing, accompanying and contemporary and contemporary witnesses.
A special highlight as part of the anniversary is the participation of the actor André Eisermann. In the leading role of Elias Alder, as a young actor, he shaped the film in a distinctive way – and is now one of the profiled voices of the German -speaking film. “The Montafon is more than a backdrop – it is the heart and soul of the film. Exactly 30 years ago, the film” Sleep Brother “was made here. The world premiere took place in Gaschurn in 1995. 6,500 premiere guests watched the film adaptation in the open air on a 700 square meter canvas and I was able to keep up with the 30 years of “sleeping brother” anniversary celebration in the Montafon in the Montafon, because my professional life had a firm grip on me. Soon to be here again, arouses unforgettable memories of the filming with Joseph Vilsmaier and Dana Vávrová and moves me alike, ”says Eisermann.
A bridge between film history and the present
The 30th anniversary not only recognizes the literary and cinematic meaning of “sleeping brother”, but also the special connection between art and region. A bridge beats between film history at the time and today’s cultural work in the Montafon. The moving story about Elias Alder’s music genius, the destructive power of passion, the beauty of music and struggle with fate still touches today. “Sleep brother” was and is a milestone – artistically and emotional. The pictures, the atmosphere and the music have shaped the Montafon and created a connection that still moved and inspired 30 years later, ”recalls the former mayor Heinrich Sandrell, which was significantly involved in the implementation at the time.
The anniversary event “30 years of sleep brother” is a cooperation between the municipality of Gaschurn and Montafon Tourism.
Opening of the anniversary exhibition “30 years of sleep brother”
On September 9, 1995, the premiere of sleep brother took place in Gaschurn. Exactly 30 years later we opened the anniversary exhibition on the sleeping brother days in the Gaschurn dance arbor on September 9, 2025. The exhibition impressively shows the history of the film – from the novel by Robert Schneider to the implementation of Joseph Vilsmaier. In addition to the performers, the focus is also on the unique backdrop of the Garneratal, the film music and the contribution of numerous regional service providers. Staged visual worlds make the exhibition a place of lively memory and encounter.
Datum: 09.09.2025, 7:00 p.m.
Art: Exhibitions
Ort: Dance arbor Gaschurn
URL: https://www.montafon.at/schlafes-bruder
An evening full of memories
This evening, performing, accompanying and contemporary witnesses come together in the Gaschurn dance arbor. The event is moderated by Heinrich Sandrell and Arno Fricke, which lead through memories and anecdotes. As a special highlight, the making-of is shown by sleeping brother. A cinematic time document that not only shows behind the scenes, but also makes the emotional journey of this extraordinary project noticeable. An evening full of memories, encounters and Montafon film history – a very personal homage to the creation of this extraordinary work.
Datum: 18.09.2025, 7:00 p.m.
Art: Lectures and discussions
Ort: Dance arbor Gaschurn
URL: https://www.montafon.at/schlafes-bruder
Guided hike in the footsteps of film history
The contemporary witnesses Heinrich Sandrell and Arno Fricke accompany you on a very special hike from the middle station to the former film village in the Garneratal – the scene of sleeping brother. Sleeping brother was more than one film – it was an adventure between the camera, culture and backdrop. In the middle of the Garneratal, where the film village once stood, Heinrich Sandrell and Arno Fricke tell how a idea became a big cinema – with their knowledge of landscape permits, hidden challenges, amusing breakdowns and touching moments, they provide insights behind the scenes – honestly and full of heart.
Datum: September 19, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Art: General appointments
Ort: Garneratal, Gaschurn
URL: https://www.montafon.at/schlafes-bruder
Cinema outdoors
The heart of the sleeping brother days: The large open-air performance on the church square in Gaschurn takes place exactly where once filming locations became film history. Before the canvas flickers, a panel discussion speaks those who were there right from the start: performing, locals and gone telling days of shooting in the fog, real challenges – and small surprises on the set. An evening full of memories, encounters and emotions. And a gift to all those who are part of this special story then as now.
Datum: 20.09.2025, 8:00 p.m.
Art: General appointments
Ort: Dance arbor Gaschurn
URL: https://www.montafon.at/schlafes-bruder