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Ulrich Seidl: The controversial film »Sparta« is to be shown in Hamburg at the beginning of October
Photo: Nicolas Friess / Hans Lucas / IMAGO
The Austrian star director Ulrich Seidl is accused of apparently having exposed Romanian children to violence and nudity for his latest film »Sparta«.
According to the accusations reported by SPIEGEL, he will now not be traveling to the world premiere at the San Sebastián film festival.
Seidl thanked the director of the Spanish festival, José Luis Rebordinos, that he would show the strip "despite the pressure from the media and despite the great turbulence" on Sunday.
On the other hand, Seidl's film was not shown at the Toronto Film Festival after the allegations were published in SPIEGEL.
"This film has been withdrawn from the festival," reads the festival website.
"We apologize for any inconvenience."
Seidl: »Sparta« should speak for itself
According to the statement, Seidl originally wanted to accompany his work to San Sebastián.
"However, I realized that while it's time for 'Sparta' to speak for itself, my presence at the premiere could overshadow the film's reception," the 69-year-old filmmaker is quoted as saying.
The controversy over the shooting conditions of the film about a man with pedophile tendencies goes back to SPIEGEL research.
Accordingly, child actors in Romania were confronted with scenes of alcoholism, violence and nudity without adequate preparation and supervision.
In addition, rules for working with children are said to have not been observed.
The Viennese city newspaper »Falter« also published incriminating statements from members of the production team this week.
Seidl has repeatedly denied the allegations.
In a statement, he spoke, among other things, of rumors and events on the set that were taken out of context.
After San Sebastián, »Sparta« will also be screened at the Hamburg Film Festival in early October.
However, the planned awarding of the Douglas Sirk Prize to Seidl will not be held in Hamburg, "since the allegations would overshadow an award ceremony," as festival director Albert Wiederspiel said.
apr/dpa
