Producer
Leopold Hoesch
Director
Matthias Schmidt
Producer
n/a
Genre
Culture
Broadcaster
ZDFKultur
Length
1 x 30'
Editor
n/a
Year
2011
A life beside
Sealand

"A life beside" shows bizarre and adventurous life worlds. What drives people to flee, how do they set up their new lives and how big is the difference between them and us "normal citizens"? What is the fascination of the different subcultures? Because apparently they offer something that the "real" world cannot offer people.

A platform in the sea, slightly smaller than a handball court, about 20 metres above sea level: the Principality of Sealand lies about ten kilometres off the English east coast. In terms of international law, it does not exist. A visit to the princely family, Michael Bates and his children, says otherwise. In 1942, the fortress is anchored at sea, for air defence against German invaders, and in 1966 it is occupied by Roy Bates, an ex-army major and radio pirate. "Britain's Better Music Station" he calls his station and Sealand his state. In the early years, Roy Bates resolutely resisted attempts to evict him. Once he stood before an English court for firing against the navy. The verdict: "no jurisdiction" over waters outside England. Since then, there has been a "truce" between the Principality and the United Kingdom. The biggest enemy in the meantime is - rust. But Sealand remains Sealand: a wind-powered utopia with its own anthem and sympathisers all over the world.

First broadcast: Fri, 19 August 2011, 22:05, ZDF.Kultur.

A Life Beside: Sealand

"A life beside" shows bizarre and adventurous life worlds. What drives people to flee, how do they set up their new lives and how big is the difference between them and us "normal citizens"? What is the fascination of the different subcultures? Because apparently they offer something that the "real" world cannot offer people.

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