24/E1: Eröffnungsfilm THE VOLUNTEERS

The international documentary tells the story of two mountain rescue organizations in the USA and Tyrol—and their surprising historical connections. Wastl Mariner, an Austrian mountaineer and pioneer of Tyrolean mountain rescue, laid the theoretical foundation for alpine rescue in the USA with his book *Modern Mountain Rescue Techniques*.

Together with their protagonists, directors Marc Weiner and David Ritsher reflect on the importance of volunteer work: “In times of conflict and unrest, we wanted to convey a constructive, unifying civil message.”