Doerrie pic set to blossom at Lolas
'Wave' also likely to catch German awards
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Yet the most talked about pic at the event will be one that is not in the running — Til Schweiger’s massive hit “Keinohrhasen” (Rabbit Without Ears).
The schism between arthouse and mainstream has once again moved front and center in the run-up to this year’s show, and it’s never been more contentious in the four years since the German Film Academy took over the Lolas.
With an academy of industry professionals in charge of the Lolas, the hope was that the event would be less exclusive and generate greater interest among film fans and TV auds.
Yet the exclusion of “Keinohrhasen” — the most successful German film of the year with a box office cume of $61 million — has again sparked accusations of elitism and brought the Academy’s role into question.
For its part, the Academy maintains that Schweiger failed to submit the film in time for consideration and that it will gladly consider it for next year’s awards if submitted properly and on time.
Regardless, the fracas has inspired Schweiger to set up his own kudos show with a people’s choice award that aims to include moviegoers and showcase popular movies — unlike the Lolas, which, Schweiger has complained, go to “films that no one has ever heard of."
The Lolas, which are funded by the federal government and carry monetary prizes of up to $790,000, are not meant to award box office success but rather cultural achievement — a fact that in itself provides a strong case for an independent film award free from political baggage.
Other high-profile films that were ignored by the Academy included Michael Herbig’s animated “Lissi,” Leander Haussmann’s screwball comedy “Warum Maenner nicht zuhoeren und Frauen schlecht einparken” (Why Men Don't Listen and Women Can't Read Maps) and Tobi Baumann’s comedy “Vollidiot” (Complete Idiot), all of which were among last year’s top box office performers.
Doerrie’s “Cherry Blossoms,” about a grieving widower who journeys to Japan, will face off against at least one major box office success for best pic — Dennis Gansel’s politically charged “The Wave,” which has raked in $18.6 million and still remains at the top of the charts after six weeks in release.
Other best pic contenders include Fatih Akin’s ensemble drama “The Edge of Heaven,” Robert Thalheim’s “And Along Come Tourists," Christian Petzold’s haunting thriller "Yella" and Ralf Westhoff's comedy "Shoppen."
58TH GERMAN FILM AWARDS WINNERS
Film
“The Edge of Heaven,” Gold Lola
“Cherry Blossoms,” Silver Lola
“The Wave,” Bronze Lola
Director
Fatih Akin, “The Edge of Heaven”
Script
Fatih Akin, “The Edge of Heaven”
Actress
Nina Hoss, “Yella”
Actor
Elmar Wepper, “Cherry Blossoms”
Supporting Actress
Christine Schorn, “Frei nach Plan”
Supporting Actor
Frederick Lau, “The Wave”
Documentary Film
“Pool of Princesses”
Children and Youth Film
“Leroy”
Cinematography
Benedict Neuenfels, “Liebesleben”
Editing
Andrew Bird, “The Edge of Heaven”
Production Design
Erwin Prib, “Absurdistan”
Costumes
Sabine Greunig, “Cherry Blossoms”
Music
Ali N. Askin, “Leroy”
Sound
Dirk Jacob, Dominik Schleier, Martin Steyer, Pawel Wdowczak, “Trade”
