Emotional evening for the German film industry on Friday at the German Film Awards in Berlin – and in fast motion. Jürgen Vogel, the self-proclaimed “caretaker of time,” announced right from the start that they wanted to “be a little faster” today. The award ceremony should last exactly as long as “Toni Erdmann,” said Vogel and started the 2016 film on a small television on the stage.
In fact, things happened in quick succession: Not even five minutes after the opening applause, the award for the best male lead went to the Austrian actor Simon Morzé for his performance in “The Fox”. Lars Eidinger, who was also nominated and was not present in the hall, was happy for his colleague via video link and with George Clooney in the background. The “pacifist fable,” as it was also called, also received the Silver Lola for Best Feature Film.
The main prize for the best feature film went to the three-hour family drama “Sterben” by Matthias Glasner, which was the favorite of the evening with a total of nine nominations. “I have to admit, it was a really exciting evening. I’m really blown away. I’m so happy about this. I’m really happy about so many things in this film,” said the film’s obviously very moved director. And he thanked his wife and children, among others: “Since I had the three of them, I know that love is possible.” “Sterben” was also awarded the prize for the best film music. Lead actress Corinna Harfouch was delighted to receive an award for best actress, while Hans-Uwe Bauer received a Lola for best male supporting actor. Adele Neuhauser also beamed from ear to ear when she was awarded best supporting actress for her role in “15 Years”.
The best documentary film was “Seven Winters in Tehran,” about an Iranian woman sentenced to death who became a fighter for women’s rights while in prison. Lola also received the best editing award for the gripping documentary. The awards for best direction and best screenplay went to “Im Toten Winkel” by Ayşe Polat. The mystery thriller also won the Bronze Lola for best feature film. On stage, Polat thanked her in her third acceptance speech of the evening: “I think this award confirms that diversity enriches German cinema. We need more films from people who have other stories and other perspectives.” The quantum mechanical black-and-white thriller “The Theory of Everything” was honored with three Lolas: for best cinematography, best production design and best visual effects.
This year the honorary award went to Hannah Schygulla, who was last seen in “Poor Things” and who entertained the audience with the longest speech of the evening. “Honor – I used to hate the word at all. Now I feel like it’s good for me too,” she said at the beginning.
Holocaust survivor Margot Friedländer provided a particularly moving moment. “There is no Christian, no Arab, no Jewish blood. There is only human blood,” said the 102-year-old in a moving speech. Even at this point, most of the eyes in the room were filled with tears. “We can no longer change what happened, but it must never, ever happen again. I ask you: Be human, be human.” She received minutes of applause and a standing ovation for her performance.
At times the moderators also became philosophical: Aurel Mertz, Jasna Fritzi Bauer, Margarita Broich, Gizem Emre, Ivy Quainoo and Tobias Krell asked themselves why most films revolve around murders and catastrophes – and whether that should perhaps change. Krell, also known as Checker Tobi, pointed out: “If you look for problems, you will find problems. If you look for solutions, you will find solutions.”
The German Film Prize is one of the most important awards in the industry. The nominations and awards are worth a total of around three million euros for new projects. The money comes from the house of Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth (Greens). In 2023, “The Teacher’s Room” by İlker Çatak won the Golden Lola.
