Press release
Corporate Press
October 16, 2017

"You’ll never walk alone” to open film festival in Liverpool

  • Evonik co-production tells the story of the world’s favorite soccer anthem

The German documentary film “You’ll never walk alone”, directed by André Schäfer, will open the Liverpool Independent Film Festival on Friday, November 10. This was revealed by the organizers at the presentation of the festival program in Liverpool. In the film, Joachim Król, a German actor and Borussia Dortmund fan, tells the amazing story of the world’s best-known soccer anthem – from its origins in Budapest on the eve of World War I through the Prater park in Vienna, the American musical “Carousel” and the Merseybeat right up to Liverpool FC and Borussia Dortmund. The film has been co-produced by Evonik, Borussia Dortmund’s main sponsor. “Liverpool choosing a German film about their own national anthem to open the festival, there’s no higher accolade,” says Markus Langer, head of brand communications at Evonik: “We congratulate André Schäfer and the entire film team on this fantastic success.”

As a specialty chemicals company, Evonik is increasingly finding innovation at the interfaces of various disciplines. Therefore, as a promoter of culture, the company is especially interested in the overlapping of different spheres. For the 2014–15 season, Evonik, decided to invite a group of writers from the German national team of soccer-playing authors to accompany the Bundesliga team. The result was a book “Man muss ein Spiel auch lesen können” (Reading the game), the only football book ever to feature in the ZDF television broadcaster’s book program “Literarisches Quartett”. The film “You’ll never walk alone” traces the play Liliom by the Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnár in its fascinating, century-long journey through theater, musical, cinema, pop and soccer. Along the way, the work changes its meaning several times without losing any of its significance.

The documentary film, which features famous names such as Mavie Hörbiger, Gerry Marsden, Lars Ricken, Jürgen Klopp and Campino, premiered in the Lichtburg in Essen on May 16. The DVD is available from November 17.

 

Image Caption:
Premiere of the film in Essen on May 16, 2017.



Company information
Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The focus on more specialty businesses, customer-orientated innovative prowess and a trustful and performance-oriented corporate culture form the heart of Evonik’s corporate strategy. They are the lever for profitable growth and a sustained increase in the value of the company. Evonik benefits specifically from its customer proximity and leading market positions. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world with more than 35,000 employees. In fiscal 2016, the enterprise generated sales of around €12.7 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of about €2.165 billion.

Disclaimer
In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.