There was a time when mountain bikers used to wait for films. For weeks, sometimes even months. New World Disorder It wasn’t just a film, but an event. The DVD was passed from hand to hand, the images were etched into our memories, riders became legends and tricks became milestones. MTB films didn’t just show what was possible – they set the direction for the scene.
These days, the next spectacular sequence is already whizzing across the screen before you’ve even had time to take in the last one. A backflip, a cliff drop, a 20-second clip – swipe, marvel, move on. The internet is full of images that would once have made up an entire film. Nowadays, almost everything is spectacular. And that’s precisely the problem: amidst this constant sensory overload, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to create images that not only make you pause but also stick in your mind.
But there’s one filmmaker who wants to bring that old spirit back to life. Instead of elaborate staging, he just points the ‘Dad-Cam’ at things and has a bit of fun. Bela is just that sort of person.
Interview: “For the sake of the good old days”
Bela, you’re planning a new MTB film, following on from your YouTube film “Schwarzwälder Kirschtorten Racing”.
That’s right, it’s been a good three years since the film came out. I came up with the idea back then when I was in hospital with an injury and suddenly had loads of time to think. I watched those old bike films again whilst I was there – the 50to01 stuff, the Slice of Pie videos – and thought: ‘Digger, that’s exactly what I want to do.’
You want to produce another 30- to 45-minute video for the new film. In an age when people skip on after 15 seconds, that sounds almost naïve. Why stick to a concept like that in 2026?
Because the market is oversaturated with exactly what everyone else is doing right now. Super-edits, glossy visuals, higher and higher, further and further, more and more dangerous. It’s technically impressive, but somehow cold. What meant so much to me about the first film – and our celebrity protagonist Jasper Jauch confirmed this to me himself later; he even mentioned it in the podcast – was that it was one of the most brilliant shoots he’d ever been on. Not because the shots were perfect. But because it was all about riding together. Not about who’s the best. That’s exactly what I’m missing in the sport right now.
Now, you could also say: you’re doing this mainly for yourself. You want to go into the woods with your mates and go cycling – you can do that without filming, can’t you?
That would be short-sighted. Sure, I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again and going for a cycle together. But the aim is for that very feeling to rub off on the audience. At the premiere of the first film, I stood at the back and just watched people as they watched the film. You could see how they laughed, how they really identified with it. That’s the moment you do it all for. When someone says afterwards: ‘I’m going to get my bike out of the cellar and go for a proper ride in the woods.’
And which celebrities appear in the film this time?
That’ll be a surprise, haha. The most amazing people: from the absolute racing icons of German cycling, such as Jasper Jauch, Texi and many others, to up-and-coming talent like Lois Eller, right through to the ‘Fun’ section – in other words, lots of people from social media like Andi or Jay. We’ve got a very diverse yet cohesive group of people. What matters to us isn’t the reach, but the person behind it.
It would be an absolute dream to have Danny MacAskill – he’s my absolute role model. I got his contact details through EVOC, and I’ve sent the email. Now it’s just a case of hoping he can fit it in, haha.
Where will the filming take place?
On trails in the southern Black Forest and the Vosges.
And what about the budget for all that?
Not a penny. Zero. Everyone’s doing it out of conviction. Marcel Schlupf, who’s behind the whole media side of things, runs an agency and is seeing this through with me. I’m doing most of the editing myself – I want to retain control over the film’s style. Seven filmmakers in total, three weekends, six different locations, campfires, barbecues, travelling there on Friday evening. No sponsors, no pressure. Just doing it.
And will the premiere be at the Freiburg Bike Festival again?
Exactly. Friday evening, the first day – that’ll be the premiere. We’re still working out whether it’ll be right on the festival site or in a hall next to it. But the basic plan is in place. And to be honest, I can hardly wait.
Laurin Lehner
Editor