After a year and a half of the pandemic, the German Film Prize will be presented again in front of a large audience for the first time. Academy director Ulrich Matthes initially remembers difficult months – and has a message.
Berlin – Actor Ulrich Matthes called for more willingness to talk and solidarity in society at the German Film Prize. The 62-year-old opened the award ceremony in Berlin – and used a “James Bond” allusion.
They were all “shaken and touched” after this pandemic, said Matthes. “Some more, some less. This pandemic has hit some of us in an existentially threatening way. “
During that time he had the cautious optimism that they would develop a special solidarity. “We can only do it together,” said Matthes. Now there have also been “a few faults of this and every kind”. “And yet I’m just wildly romantic: I won’t let my idealism be taken away from me.” He called for people to remain ready to talk despite conflicts.
Again in front of a large audience
For the first time in a year and a half pandemic, the film prize was awarded again in front of a large audience. Around 1200 people were invited – all of them had to go to the corona test in advance. Among others, the actors Elyas M’Barek and Milan Peschel as well as the actresses Iris Berben, Heike Makatsch and Veronica Ferres, series star Kida Khodr Ramadan (“4Blocks”) and director Detlev Buck came.
The first prizes were awarded in the early evening – actress Lorna Ishema was named best supporting actress for the film “Ivie like Ivie”. The German Film Prize is the most important national award in the industry. The awards are associated with a total of around three million euros for new projects.
Moderator Daniel Donskoy (“Sankt Maik”, “Friday Night Jews”) led through the evening. He started the show with dancing and singing, a kind of hymn to the big screen. In it he sang: “Cinema is cool”. Minister of State for Culture Monika Grütters (CDU) also recalled the power of cinema in her speech. Last year the drama “Systemsprenger” won the Golden Lola. At that time, there was no big gala due to the pandemic. dpa
