Karneval! - Wir sind positiv bekloppt

The Cologne Carnival is one of the world's biggest festivals. Millions of people, from near and far, diehard revellers and tourists alike, partake in a collective frenzy for a couple of days every year. But is everything really over on Ash Wednesday? After the carnival is before the carnival. No climax without the build-up. No spectacle without the rehearsal. What does the big festival mean outside of the season? Claus Wischmann takes a peek behind the scenes and accompanies five Cologne carnival devotees for one year in his documentary film: "Carnival! Proud to be mad." (Berlinale)