


This movie about music, sausages, and Slovenians in Cleveland was made for Slovenian TV. It’s a valentine to polka, “the happiest sound around.” Slovenians started coming to the U.S. as farmers in the 1860s, then helped build the new American industry. About 80,000 people of Slovenian descent now live in the Cleveland area. Cleveland-style polka, which contains elements of jazz and ragtime, was featured on Slovenian radio programs starting in the 1920s. Tony Petkovsek’s radio broadcasts continued the tradition, bringing the music to later generations. Community treasures in the film include the Slovenian Workmen’s Home, the Slovenian Museum and Archives, Mitzi Jerman’s pub, and the Polka Hall of Fame. There’s footage of many polka greats including Eddie Simms, the Vadnal brothers, Johnny Pecon, and Frankie Yankovic, who at the height of his fame competed against Duke Ellington in a popularity contest — and won. Sausage festivals and Father Frank Perkovich’s Polka Mass round out the festivities. Don’t miss a beat; POLKA!’s a treat. (In Slovenian with subtitles and English) –B.B.
| Sidebars | Documentaries, Local Heroes |
| Producer | Jake Hemler |
| Screenplay | Joseph Valencic, Dusan Moravec |
| Cinematography | Jurij Nemec |
| Editing | Matjaž Janković |
| Principal Cast | Cecilia Dolgan, Robert Dolgan, Jan Jones, Joe Valencic, Frank Yankovic, Eddie Rodick |
| Director Bio | Born in 1964 and raised in Idrija, Slovenia, Dušan Moravec is a former member of the prominent Slovenian punk band Kuzle. He has worked as a journalist and has directed 16 documentaries. |
| Select Filmography | "Accordionists" (2005), "Ladies of the Skyscraper" (2006), "Meana Is in the Air" (2007), "Talking Heads" (2009), POLKA! THE MOVIE (2010) |
| Print Source |
Valencic and Associates javalencic@yahoo.com |
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