01/07/2003

“Why doesn’t Germany have a proper film academy that would give out the top awards, similar to the one in America?” The question was put to German film directors, producers and critics during a meeting of the federal commission for cultural affairs. According to Bernd Eichber, the Munich-based producers’ representative, and others, a film academy “would be in keeping with German cinema’s awards and would create a common platform for relaunching the national film industry.”

The main obstacle is money. Setting up a national film academy would cost in the regione of Euros3m according to Green Party MP, Claudia Roth, and the awards ceremony would have to be independently managed. Hence the American model: the US government plays no part in assigning the Oscars.
Germany’s minister for culture, Christina Weiss suggested a two-year wait prior to making German film awards independent. During this period, the new plan could be tried out. Film director Andreas Dresen ( Grill Point [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) spoke about the importance of international co-productions for the spread of German cinema abroad.
The debate is still very much an open issue, although most industry operators share the point of view of the head of the Berlinale, Dieter Kosslick: “We must be proud of German cinema again!”

(Translated from Italian)