Lord of the Wiens: A Dachumentary
Trubedour Entertainment, $14All puns aside, Austinite Elise Ballard’s dachumentary showcases the Wiener Dog Races held annually in nearby Buda, Texas. The 25-minute DVD will be a hit with all dachshund lovers on your gift list or, really, any fan of uniquely fun and silly interactions between pet owners and their charges. Seven dachshunds at a time are let loose from the handmade starting gate and are urged by their coach/owners (who use toys, noisemakers, fried chicken, or whatever works) to run quickly in a straight line toward the finish. Many dogs just run in circles or toward the bystanders, but there is something distinctly entertaining about seeing these crop-legged runners all racing for the glory. The film interviews several of the participants: One woman hits it on the head when she describes dachshunds as the least Olympic-seeming of all dogs, an observation that goes a long way toward explaining the curious charm of these competitive runners. With music by Austin musician Danny Levin, the film also highlights the wiener dog costume contest and Buda residents recounting the history of the small-town event that now brings in contenders from around the country. The race is a fundraiser for the local Lions Club, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the DVD will benefit the club’s charity work. Copies of “Lord of the Wiens” – which screened at SXSW 04 – and the poster may be ordered online at www.lordofthewiens.com; T-shirts and other race paraphernalia may be purchased at www.budalionsclub.com. – Marjorie Baumgarten
This article appears in December 3 • 2004.
