FC Bayern and ‘Das gewisse Etwas’

The smell of popcorn in the air, an inspiring panel discussion and minutes of applause from the 300 or so FC Bayern members inside Munich’s Cincinnati cinema following the film ‘Das gewisse Etwas’. The Bundesliga champions had organised a unique event at the cinema complex, just a few minutes’ walk from Säbener Straße, under the theme “Inclusion in the Spotlight”. The heart-warming comedy, which has been showing in German cinemas since 3 September, shines a light on people with disabilities, and FC Bayern supported the film’s production. “Inclusion deserves the spotlight and our full attention,” said Benny Folkmann, FC Bayern managing director and – alongside Andreas Werner – head of the FCB initiative Red Against Racism, during the opening panel discussion. “For FC Bayern, diversity is not a question of whether someone belongs but the certainty that our club would not be complete without these people.”

Among the audience was Frangiskos Kakoulakis, one of the actors with a disability, who spent a long time signing autographs and taking selfies. A total of around 500 FCB members had applied, explained Kiki Hasenpusch, deputy managing director. “Together, we want to raise awareness today of the importance of inclusion in sport, in club life, in our society and, of course, of the real-life experiences of the people involved in this film and this evening.” The huge response in the run-up to the event alone had shown “just how important and wide-ranging the interest in this topic is”.

Alongside Folkmann, Kim Krämer (FC Bayern’s fan liaison officer for people with disabilities), as well as producer Andrea Schmitt and Sven Harjes from Constantin Film – the latter serving as casting director and co-director for inclusion, responsible for actors with disabilities in ‘Das gewisse Etwas’ – took part in the panel discussion. “We’ve been delighted with the fantastic collaboration with FC Bayern since filming began,” said Schmitt. “Sport and culture reach people in their own ways, and it’s important that we work together to encourage people with disabilities and show that they can participate actively and independently in society.” Harjes offered charming insights into the work on set and remarked, “The zest for life shown by the actors with disabilities was an inspiration to everyone. It felt like a family, and that’s reflected in the film too.”

Krämer explained to those present just how exemplary FC Bayern’s work in the field of inclusion is, not least by involving people with disabilities even before the Allianz Arena was built. Even now, during the design of the Sportpark Unterhaching as the new home ground for FC Bayern Women, there is ongoing dialogue, and Krämer noted that the club is setting new standards simply in terms of the number of spaces allocated for wheelchair users. At the Allianz Arena, for example, there are 324 such spaces, and 100 at the SAP Garden for basketball matches. Over time, she added, many effective projects have been implemented, such as transport and catering services around matchdays, facilities for people with visual impairments, and sign language for players in both football and basketball, developed by the deaf supporters’ club Red Deaf. “This is a prime example of inclusion, because the fans are involved as an active, influential part of the process.” Krämer took specific ideas from the film ‘Das gewisse Etwas’ for the Rollwagerl eV away trips: “It’s an incredibly inspiring event today.”

Sport and culture create shared spaces for experience, Folkmann explained: “In the stadium, just as in the cinema, people from different backgrounds sit side by side and share a moment. That is precisely where social power lies. Encounters can break down prejudices where a lack of dialogue often reinforces them.” With greater reach comes greater responsibility: “A major club like FC Bayern must not only address social issues when they attract a lot of attention. It must take a stand even when it becomes uncomfortable against racism, antisemitism, discrimination and exclusion. That is an important message, particularly at this time. Sport and culture can foster shifts in perspective, from which social change arises.”

This members’ event was also organised with the support of participants in FC Bayern’s volunteer programme PACK MA’S. Before the film, they showed a clip filmed when the cast of the film ‘Das gewisse Etwas’ visited Säbener Straße two weeks earlier and met head coach Vincent Kompany, Jamal Musiala, Jonathan Tah, Alphonso Davies, Jonas Urbig and reserve team coach Dante. Everyone was then treated to some spectacular cinema in the truest sense of the word. For once, this evening wasn’t about goals. And yet, in the end, everyone present was a winner.