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"The cinema is alive!"

2020-04-24T14:10:35.845Z


The German film award “Lola” will be awarded on April 25th. It is the most prestigious award for German film - but due to the fact that Corona is being awarded, it will not be celebrated with a gala this year.


The German film award “Lola” will be awarded on April 25th. It is the most prestigious award for German film - but due to the fact that Corona is being awarded, it will not be celebrated with a gala this year.

Well, at least there won't be an analog gala. The 70th award of the German film award “Lola” is celebrated nonetheless: from 10:15 p.m., the ARD broadcasts it on April 25 on television. Edin Hasanovic moderates from the studio, with Ulrich Matthes, President of the German Film Academy, at his side (with a safe distance). The award winners will be added from their living rooms. In a telephone interview, 60-year-old Matthes, himself a character actor from theater and film ("The Fall"), explains why the award is such an important sign for him. And demands not to forget the film industry. Because it doesn't just consist of high-paid acting stars.

The cultural sector is currently on hold. Are you worried that people will get used to it and prefer watching Netflix after the crisis than going to the theater?

No. I believe that people absolutely need places like the cinema, the theater, the concert hall or the football stadium for their salvation. Culture - in order to use the word that is just so often heard - is systemically important. As funny as it is to sit on the sofa with the cheese sandwich and watch any series in a row - cinema cannot be replaced. It is a different matter whether we get involved in the cinema with many other people with a big face, a big feeling, a big landscape. It does something different to us than this kind of "Oh, we can continue ironing on the side". In this respect, I am completely confident.

It is interesting that in the policy statements on areas affected by the curfew, there was never anything about culture. When asked what fell under "major events", the very first thing was: beer festivals. But the words opera or theater were never used. Prostitution, on the other hand, was explicitly mentioned. Does this show how little appreciation there is for culture in our society?

Above all, it shows what the authors of the regulations apparently do in their free time. (Laughs) Sorry, you can make a joke! Especially in corona times. Jokes also absolutely contribute to soul hygiene. As serious as the situation is.

In every situation?

I'm a little torn there. Of course I am shocked by the reports from New York, from Northern Italy, about this terrible Bolsonaro in Brazil. You shouldn't joke about that, they are forbidden. It is politically terrible, it is humanly terrible. On the other hand, as you know, humor is always good, even in the worst phases, to relieve yourself. If you want to survive mentally, you have to protect yourself. His immune system by occasionally sitting in the sun or squeezing oranges, and mentally by developing an inner antidote to corona - very essentially: humor.

As a motivator. You have sent an email to all 2000 members of the film academy to encourage them. What was in there?

It was a gesture. I just had the need to send out a little word of mental hooking as the one who happens to be president. It couldn't be more. This situation is existential for really, very many in the industry. Because there are a lot of self-employed people and then again the special problem of temporary employees. They have fallen through the grid of aid measures by the federal government. I can only urge politicians not to forget this special force in the film productions.

What can you
do from the Academy
to help?

At the moment, less constructive words help than really explicit financial help. The fact that the productions have all been stopped is particularly afflicting the many who are not earning particularly well anyway, who are not permanently employed. I am privileged because of my commitment to the Deutsches Theater Berlin. That is why I can only explicitly ask Monika Grütters and Olaf Scholz: Friends, look at these special problems! It may not be so sexy to read now, but it is existential for those who are concerned. I don't want to bash the government at all, they do a good job overall. But the focus is currently not on the special cases. I ask you to consider their problems with exclamation marks.

Is that why awarding prizes is so important? As a sign that you have an eye on the industry?

Yes. The prize money comes from the Minister of Culture, and she said very early that she was absolutely in favor of awarding this film prize. We were grateful for that. It is a sign of solidarity in the industry, of encouragement. It recognizes the outstanding achievements of the filmmakers of the past cinema year. And if I may say it a bit pathetically, it is a sign that the cinema is alive. Damn it that the cinema will continue to produce great performances in the future that should be recognized! I really don't want to think we are more important than other professions, but tonight we have the opportunity to say with humble self-confidence: we are proud of you, you have done great things, we appreciate that, we are happy with you. It is a small sign of hope.

And how does the gala work?

The evening will be a bit unusual, a mix of digital and analog. The charming, funny Edin Hasanovic will moderate. There will be laudators like Iris Berben or Charly Hübner or Jannis Niewöhner in the studio, and in the end Monika Grütters and I will award the three prizes for the best film. On large screens, the nominees are switched on from their sofas at home, where they excitedly chew their nails, whether they get the prize or not.

That sounds like
it could get
very moody after all.

I hope. It's a little less glamorous, though, who knows, maybe everyone's in formal wear! But jogging pants are also allowed, there will be no red carpets. I hope that in this somewhat anarchic format there is also a small winking joke. It will be a mixture of humor and jokes on the one hand and seriousness on the other. That is not mutually exclusive.

And what do you wear?

Hm. Since I am not acting as Uli, but as President alongside the Minister of Culture, I actually throw myself in my tuxedo, a bit self-deprecatingly.

It's nice to have a reason to prettify again, isn't it? You just have to take every opportunity to not just walk around in home office clothes.

Yes, true, while I'm on the phone with you, I actually have the jogging pants quoted to death and a gray T-shirt. I didn't make myself particularly chic for the "Münchner Merkur". I hope your readers will follow me. (Laughs)

Source: merkur

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