Numerous stars on the red carpet, Claudia Roth recalls the war in Ukraine. And Meltem Kaptan accepted the Lola as best actress, visibly moved.
Actress Meltem Kaptan won Lola as best actress at the German Film Awards. She was honored for her role in the drama “Rabiye Kurnaz vs. George W. Bush”.
In it she plays the mother of longtime Guantánamo prisoner Murat Kurnaz – in the film she tries to free her son from the US prison camp. “Old Swede,” said Kaptan on Friday evening and thanked the Academy, the other nominated women and their families, among others. In her acceptance speech, Kaptan also acknowledged the lifetime achievements of attorney Bernhard Docke and Rabiye Kurnaz, both of whom were sitting in the hall.
The presentation of the German Film Prize began with the parade of the stars. Alexandra Maria Lara, for example, appeared on the red carpet in Berlin with her husband Sam Riley and Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth.
The models Eva Padberg and Marie Nasemann also walked past the photographers. Katrin Bauerfeind moderates the evening.
Claudia Roth: «War changes everything»
Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth (Greens) recalled the war in Ukraine. “We know he’s there,” she said. It’s not even 1,000 kilometers from here to Lviv, to the Ukrainian border. “War changes everything.” He changes the face of a city even before an enemy soldier has crossed the city limits.
Roth said he was making mountains of sandbags grow where there had previously been a memorial, and told of her visit to Odessa, where she had also visited the film studio. One sees war in films, said Roth and called the film “Come and see” by director Elem Klimov. “The most brutal, the most relentless war film I know.” You see the dehumanization of man.
“The war changes everything, even an evening like this,” said Roth. Is it still possible to celebrate the film? “You can’t just do it – you should, you have to.” She called on the film industry to reflect on their strength. «The power of film, the magic of cinema.»
Alexander Scheer honored for best supporting male role
First prizes were also awarded. The actor Alexander Scheer won the German Film Award for the best supporting role. “I feel very honored tonight, thank you very much,” said the 46-year-old when the Lola was handed over. The actress and comedienne Meltem Kaptan presented the award.
Scheer was honored for his performance in Andreas Dresen’s drama Rabiye Kurnaz vs. George W. Bush. The film entered the race with a total of ten nominations and tells the story of the mother of former Guantánamo prisoner Murat Kurnaz. In it, Scheer plays the human rights lawyer Bernhard Docke, with whom the mother becomes friends over the course of the film.
Jella Haase honored for best supporting actress
The actress Jella Haase received the German Film Award for the best female supporting role. The 29-year-old was honored for her performance in the black and white drama “Dear Thomas” by director Andreas Kleinert. The Lola trophy was presented to her by actor Ulrich Tukur.
“Dear Thomas” started with twelve and thus the most nominations and tells of the life of the author Thomas Brasch (1945-2001). In it, Haase plays Thomas’ partner Katarina. “”Dear Thomas” is a reminder for me to be brave,” said Haase at the award ceremony.
