Movies can change the world, says German filmmaker

PUNE: The country focus on Germany at this year's Pune International Film Festival (Piff) is part of the ongoing celebrations of Germany and India's 60 years of diplomatic relations under the Germany and 'India 2011-2012: Infinite Opportunities' banner.
Inaugurated by the consul general of the Federal Republic of Germany, Leopold-Theodor Heldman on Friday, the session in 'Country Focus: Germany' was graced by director of the Hof Film Festival, Germany, Heinz Badewitz, filmmaker Johannes Naber, faculty from Film and Television Institute of India Indraneel Bhattacharya and director of Max Mueller Bhavan, Pune Michael Flucht.
"As we take on the ambitious task of strengthening ties with India across politics, business, science and research, we believe culture, art and especially filmmaking and cinema is a more fitting platform for exchange of ideas. We wish to bring this to India for connoisseurs, especially those in the Oxford of the East," Heldman said.
Offering a bouquet of 47 films from Germany, the highlights include those by filmmakers Werner Herzog and Wim Wenders. Naber's maiden feature film, The Albanian, which is competing in Piff's world cinema category, is inspired from true events pertaining to immigrants from Albania to Germany.
"Today, Germany is assimilating different communities of migrants because I think the Germans have begun to feel the need for a migrant workforce. But migration is an issue, as immigrants do not enjoy legal status. The policy on migrants is not effective enough, as they are not granted basic rights," said Berlin-based Naber. It took him ten years to make The Albanian.
"During this period, I spent a lot of time researching on the issue, in Albania. Immigration is a big issue in Germany and I wanted to show to the German audience the perspective of an illegal immigrant and the challenges such an individual has to face," said Naber. The Albanian was made with state funding. He obtained funding from the German government after constant efforts spanning five years.
"Applying for state funding is a very complicated process back home, and the system for this is different in different regions across Germany. We make around 150 films every year. But unlike Hollywood or Bollywood, the German film industry still relies heavily on foreign funding for film production," Naber said.
Fortunately, there is no censorship of films in Germany. "But even though state funding is allowed, it is focused on supporting movies that have a commercial angle. Films that touch upon difficult topics do not readily get state funding," he said.
The consequences of globalisation on the social, economic, cultural and other levels, is evident in contemporary German cinema, says film expert, Samar Nakhate.
"The onus, today, lies on the younger generation of filmmakers and such individuals are focusing on the changing realities of existence and their connection towards it," he said.
This holds true with Naber's belief. "I make movies because they can change the world. The day I have to start convincing people about commercial angles for obtaining funds, I will stop making films," he said.BOX: German films to watch out for: