Naked CITY

director, Panorama,

Berlin International Film Festival

Change has been in the air for quite a while in Berlin. What is news, however (and good news too) is that filmmaking is changing. The traditionally bureaucratic Berlin funding systems have changed. Decisions are now made by one commissioner.

Let's assume more radical films will be made in Berlin's future. Radical in art and entertainment. Both values have suffered from the common denominator decisions in the past. Of course we need the new German comedies which have been such a hit. They revitalise filmmaking and might provide a healthier infrastructure for other types of filmmaking such as 'serious' and underground. They might open up the theatres to our films that we locked out for so long. But producers have to learn to read and develop scripts, and to invent a market which is not just sitting there. We've lost it. It is no longer appropriate to make the film that seems safe funding wise. It is important now to make the film one believes in with guts!

Cinema owners have to relearn to programme the gourmet food they used to be famous for in Berlin. There are lots of spectators being underserved these days and I see many hungry eyes. My wish goes to the simultaneous understanding of these processes by all parties for a new, adventurous and exciting film city. It's on its way.