To celebrate the anniversary of “80 Years of Wismut Aue,” the sports world looks at a phenomenon: how does a club from a small town manage to challenge the “big ones” over decades? The film “Schachtzig” provides the answer and shows that in Aue, the clocks – and the people – tick differently.
In 45 minutes, the path is traced: from the “state within a state” of SDAG Wismut to the modern “miners’ club,” which now has almost 10,000 members and has made history as the best East German team in the eternal second division table.
The documentary spans from the hard work of the founders to the modern infrastructure of the new Erzgebirgsstadion. “Here, honest work is done, and life is lived solidly,” characterizes Martin Männel’s mentality. With over 17 years at the club, he has become the face of FC Erzgebirge.
“Schachtzig” is a tribute to the creators and identity builders: from the era of the Leonhardt twins, who steered the club through the “founders’ era” of the post-reunification years, to the unforgettable coaching legend Gerd Schädlich.
The face of today’s miners’ club, record goal-scorer Martin Männel, together with young talent Max Uhlig, takes us back into the mine and shows why the mining tradition, even after eight decades, remains the foundation for sporting excellence.
A film about pride, honest work, and unparalleled club loyalty in the Erzgebirge.
