Ulrich Matthes: "There is a need to hug"

The German Film Prize will be awarded on Friday. A conversation with the head of the academy Ulrich Matthes – about excitement in the film industry, cheese sandwiches in front of the television and a simple question.

Berlin – the cinemas were closed for months – now the German Film Prize will be awarded on Friday (October 1st). Actor Ulrich Matthes is President of the German Film Academy and explains in an interview why he can no longer hear questions about the #allesdichtmachen campaign and why the Olympics moves him to tears.

Question: Mr. Matthes, the cinemas are open again. Have you been?

Answer: What a question, of course I have been!

Question: So how was it?

Answer: I longed for it and again felt the difference between streaming offers and the cinema. I am not a despiser of Netflix and Co – on the contrary, I have been watching many an hour during the Corona period. But then there is a huge difference.

Question: But you have a refrigerator at home. And a sofa.

Answer: Yes, of course. But as cozy as it is to have a snuggled evening in front of the telly with the cheese sandwich – it is a completely different experience to sit in the cinema. And to experience a face, a landscape, an emotion magnified many times over. But both are justified.

Question: Do you ever cry while watching a movie?

Answer: I’m built really close to the water. During the Olympics, I shed a tear at every second award ceremony. I think during the film “Mr. Bachmann and his class” I had wet eyes all the time. I could name other films as well. I’m very quick to move and I’m not ashamed of it.

Question: The documentary you just mentioned is also touching. How much speech is there actually when the film industry comes together for the German Film Award?

Answer: I think there is less need to talk than to hug. The other day I was on a birthday, and it was immediately noticeable how nice it is to crouch together in a group, hugging each other, kissing each other on the cheek. We all have some catching up to do. But I can guess what you’re getting at. Of course, there were also one or two faults in our industry during these one and a half corona years.

Question: Several people from the film scene sparked discussions with the #allesdichtmachen campaign in spring. Some videos were satirical comments on how to deal with the pandemic. How has this been discussed in the past few weeks?

Answer: Oh man, it is above all a question that journalists ask themselves. This is no longer an issue in the industry itself. In my eyes it was a messed up action, at the time I said my mustard and at the same time stood in front of my colleagues when it suddenly said that they should no longer play any roles. I am also a little irritated because it was the low point of my three-year term in office, because it was tough to face around 50 colleagues.

Question: There was a second campaign that received a lot of attention – the #actout campaign. Several colleagues have made it public that they are gay, lesbian or bisexual, for example. You were there too. Have you thought about it for a long time?

Answer: I canceled spontaneously: “Sexuality is private, that is nobody’s business.” But even in our supposedly super-tolerant industry there are still resentments, whispers and prejudices. Like everywhere. And then I thought: “If I am asked about such a big event, then I can neither deny them my solidarity as a private Uli nor as the President of the Film Academy.”

Question: And how were the reactions?

Answer: There have been a lot of positive reactions and a few negative ones.

Question: The campaign was published in the magazine of the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” – what has happened since then?

Answer: Well, this is an offer to talk to society, something cannot happen overnight. But we have set an example that has been noticed. Many of them may have had a few conversations, exchanged thoughts. Some have said: “Oh, do they need it?” not to think about it as a few things. This also applies to other topics.

Question: For example?

Answer: For example, for the big issue of racism. One can also ask oneself: “When am I racist too?” Basically nothing more is wanted by such an action. It would be nice if we could refresh our consciousness a little and ask ourselves: “When do I actually misbehave in everyday life?”

Question: Because we all misbehave a bit?

Answer: Of course! Because we are human, we make mistakes and we are all prejudiced. Some more, some less. And if you’re not completely stupid, then it’s nice to try a little in everyday life to become a better person in the snail’s path. That’s also fun. You get in a better mood – and so do the people around you.

Question: That sounds like a life guide.

Answer: Ouch, do you find that too “Teacher Lämpel” -like?

Question: No, as a rule these books are right, as trite as they sometimes sound. Speaking of friendliness: have you – as promised – invited your supermarket staff to the theater?

Answer: The other day one of the ladies asked: “What happened to your invitation? Have you already forgotten what? “And then I laughed and said:” No, not at all. But a fully occupied house is more beautiful than such a checkerboard booth. “

Question: Last year the German Film Prize was awarded on television – without much “Tschingderassabum”, as you said at the time. What happens this time – are you popping it again?

Answer: I am really happy that we have another big party. After all, we were – in some cases not just the film industry – existentially threatened by these one and a half years. And there are still quite a few. I really don’t take us more seriously than we are – but for a microcosm like our film industry, it’s nice to have an evening party. And to say: “We still exist, we are alive, we have achieved great results in this really difficult year.” Dpa