Program Committee: An Authentic Work Environment Depicted in the Bernese Alps
The TV series «Off to the Alp: How City Dwellers Become Alpine Herdsmen» on Swiss television SF has received mostly positive reviews from the SRG Bern Fribourg Valais Programming Commission. It authentically depicted life and work in and with nature on the three Bernese alpine pastures, provided a wealth of information, and did not shy away from showing the difficulties and hardships.
Between September 3 and October 8, 2010, the DOK program on Swiss television SF aired the five-part series «Off to the Alp: How City Dwellers Become Alpine Herders.» The commission was impressed by the achievements of the women and men, all of whom came from other professions and chose to spend a summer season on the alp. The series received an overall positive evaluation. For the commission, it conveyed a wealth of information as well as emotion and unexpected moments; it showcased impressive, beautiful imagery set to the mystical sounds of the alphorn, while also not glossing over the less pleasant aspects. It addressed an issue that is a pressing concern for many farmers throughout the Alpine region: the lack of young people entering the alpine herding profession.
The programming committee could also have envisioned covering the entire topic in a shorter series. Although the series provided a great deal of information even for experts, the programming committee felt that background information was lacking. Ultimately, it raised the question of where to schedule the series. The five episodes of the Alp series would have been a perfect fit for the «SF bi de Lüt» time slot, and the committee did not consider them to be true documentaries in the traditional sense, but rather reality television.
The programming committee could also have envisioned covering the entire topic in a shorter series. Although the series provided a great deal of information even for experts, the programming committee felt that background information was lacking. Ultimately, it raised the question of where to schedule the series. The five episodes of the Alp series would have been a perfect fit for the «SF bi de Lüt» time slot, and the committee did not consider them to be true documentaries in the traditional sense, but rather reality television.
