Full Dedication ALVARO

a musical documentary by Hans Kotter, Jochen Hägle und Christian Zschammer
birds & bells Filmproduktion © 2008

Synopsis

A green Chilean fire-brigade jacket, white trousers and red coloured little hearts at the shoelaces –
Alvaro Peña-Rojas likes to dress extravagantly. The 62-years-old, native-born Chilean attracts
attention in Constance, many people here know him at least by sight. His music however causes only
little feedback in the German town at Lake Constance.

Alvaro's performances have a quirky charm. He sings in a weird manner, he plays piano respectively
keyboard using only 8 fingers and wearing white gloves. His music - mostly composed by himself - is
minimalistic, his lyrics are bald. He is permanently improving his compositions for years, performing
them differently again and again.

Alvaro started his musical career in the 60's in Chile as a saxophone player for several Rock & Roll
bands. At the beginning of the 70's he moved to London; since he was a sympathizer of the Allende
government the military putsch in Chile then made it impossible for him to return to his native country.
In the early 70's Alvaro also gave up his well paid job as an advertising writer, he started living in the
streets and in squats, he met Joe Strummer (later a member of The Clash) and founded  “The 101ers” with him– one of the first punk bands in Great Britain.

Alvaro however left the band soon, he put the saxophone aside and taught himself playing piano. In the mid-70s he began releasing his work under his own name (with the additional slogan: The Chilean With The Singing Nose). At the end of the 70's he established himself permanently in Constance.

Alvaro runs his own record label named Squeaky Shoes Records on which he publishes his singles,
long-playing records, tapes and compact discs – mostly releasing them in small editions of 10 to 100
pieces and equipping them with hand-made covers.
Alvaro does "his own thing" - with full dedication and without making any concessions towards the
musical mainstream. However he is not able to live of his income as a musician, he has to draw social
benefits. Additionally he is supported by friends and patrons.

Alvaro obtained the German citizenship a few years ago. Nevertheless he does not feel at home
neither in Germany, nor in Chile, nor elsewhere on this planet. He sits between chairs – as a publicly
acting musician as well as a private person.
Full Dedication ALVARO focuses on Alvaro's life in Constance, on his existence as a musician
(including flashbacks into his musical past) and on his state of rootlessness.

Appearing persons in the documentary (besides Alvaro):

Hilde Schneider, Alvaro's ex-wife, who still is an important adviser to him, for a while she also does the booking of concerts;

Jens-Peter Volk, Alvaro's bass player for many years, he also is the producer of most of his projects;

Martha Schnitzer, an almost 90 years old neighbour, who supplies Alvaro with second-hand clothes and pastries;

Andreas Rieck, a bookseller and punk rocker, who distributes Alvaro's records;

Aurel Roman, a shoemaker, who supports Alvaro by giving discount on the repair of his shoes
(in return Alvaro gives a live concert in his tiny shop);

Thomas Zoch, a journalist for local papers, who repeatedly is writing about Alvaro and his projects;

Frieder Butzmann, a composer, who analyzes Alvaro's music on the basis of a radio feature he produced.

Hans Kotter / birds & bells Filmproduktion © 2008

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