When You Are (Not) Alone

Walz Alone (Walzer Allein, HFF München, 2025), the short film by Felix Friedlein and Johannes Rockstuhl, has a shaky, lonesome, anti-musical starting point inside an empty — or what seems to be an empty — music bar. The building seems old and nostalgic. The lighting is soft, the furniture is worn down, the signs are handwritten. The protagonist, simply called ‘Gast’ (guest in English), enters the empty bar. Well, frankly speaking, he just appears in it. He seems deep in thought, which is clearly visible on his face — his facial expressions and eye movements are telling signs. One can only imagine what is going on inside his mind, or in his life. We — the viewers — are waiting for what will come next, just like the main character. We are all unsure. The bar is completely silent. Our mind and his are now in motion, either shaking with anticipation or simply waiting for something to happen.

The situation starts to develop as the bartender tells Gast that she is closing the bar. Nevertheless, he wants to take a seat and order a drink. Looking desperately for a quiet moment, he drinks a cocktail in peace, while the waitress is a little distracted by closing. This is an ice-breaking moment for Gast. He finally has a moment for himself while the girl cleans the bar. We can’t help but wonder what they feel. Is it relief or worry? Perhaps both? It seems that Gast has found some peace of mind for himself. Meanwhile, the busy bartender would clearly like to finish her shift. She seems relieved to be finishing, while the man calmly sips his cocktail. When the character is alone, he feels empty and uncertain. He is on edge. He needs to fulfil his need for community.

After this, things start to take an unexpected turn. The atmosphere is changing! Firstly, a young musician starts playing a big tuba in a funny and cheerful tune. Gast is very confused, even scared. He tries to escape. Then other musicians start joining one by one, until the bar turns into a music stage. We see a violin and a flute, dancers, and then an entire jazz band. More guests arrive — couples are kissing at the bar, people are dancing and mingling. Suddenly, a frustrated Gast appears on the stage. The audience in the bar stares at him in anticipation. He screams for them to go away. The waitress stops him and explains that the audience is actually there for him. Nervous, he steps off the stage and observes the people dancing. The bartender notices him and invites him to dance. Finally, he relaxes and lets himself go. He just needed a little support. His bitter emotions or memories are now irrelevant. Forgotten, disappeared — hopefully. It looks as if the musicians helped him turn a page. Kind of like magic. When the character is dancing with other people, he becomes more comfortable, happier than before, connected to others. He is finally part of a community.

In the end, the musicians leave, and Gast is by himself. He is playing the piano. He seems calmer than before. He stands up and starts to dance alone (hence the title Walzer Allein). It seems he would like a partner, but he is nevertheless content. Something has changed within him. He seems happier when he is dancing. Film can make a lot of people happier — why? Because of the atmosphere. What is the atmosphere? The film shows what it means to overcome oneself, to take a first step and integrate into society. This is necessary. In the beginning he is sad; in the end, even though he is alone, he is not sad anymore. He leaves the bar feeling positive about himself.