Rockabilly Requiem

Summary

"Rockabilly Requiem" tells the story of friendship, freedom, music and the struggle for self-assertion.

West Germany 1982. Across the plains of the provincial backwaters blows the stale breeze of the bourgeois. Frightened by the thought of entering into the world of their fathers, Sebastian and Hubertus are hanging on to their youth. Then Sebastian's father, a washed-up over-achiever who left the family years ago, suddenly shows up. And Hubertus' conservative father tries to beat a normal life into him. The only thing that keeps them from hitting rock bottom is music and their mutual love for Debbie, the punk princess. Sebastian and Hubertus try to sing their way to freedom, Sebastian in the church choir and Hubertus with his rock'n'roll band Rebels.

When Hubertus hears that the Wild Black Jets are looking for a new supporting band for their tour of Germany, it all seems clear: it's their chance to escape! But three things are standing in their way: the Rebels have never really performed outside of their rehearsal basement, their father's won't let them go easily, and their mutual jealousy for Debbie pits Sebastian and Hubertus against one another.

When they actually manage to get an audition for the Wild Black Jets, the situation escalates on all fronts and ends in tragedy. During a domestic fight, Hubertus dies. It's the end of all of their dreams and the end of the Rebels. Sebastian decides to avenge his friend's death. At the funeral, Sebastian pushes Hubertus' father into the open grave and calls the band together for one "last stand". With Sebastian on the microphone, the Rebels pay their last honors to Hubertus at the audition. It's a raw performance full of energy, and they have nothing to lose. Hubertus would have liked it this way: a furious punk-rockabilly requiem for Hubertus and a hymn to the principles of freedom.

Source: German Films Service & Marketing GmbH