DAY THREE  November 5, 2005
MADE IN GERMANY Showcases Ascendant Precision Filmmaking
by Chris Davison
It is well known that many of the world's finest clocks and watches are made in Germany. It is becoming increasingly
clear that this same precision and expertise also go into the making of many of the world's timeless masterpieces,
finely crafted films that inspire, educate and enlighten. MADE IN GERMANY is an annual showcase of contemporary
German cinema that is held in conjunction with AFI FEST. This year sees six diverse stories brought to life, and I sat down for a Q&A with German Films Service + Marketing US Representative Corina Danckwerts
to discuss the Festival, the films and the folks.
AFI: Can you tell us about how you initiated the MADE IN GERMANY
festival back in 2000? Danckwerts: Lots of films were being financed by German
money, and I noticed that there were film showcases
put on by the French, the British and other countries. Given the quantity and quality
of German cinema, I knew that we needed to have our own showcase as well. There was some initial resistance to the idea; I had to convince some folks that it was important
to take this step in order to further the exposure of our great young filmmakers and their visions. I lined up financial
and in-kind support from Volkswagen, Beck's Beer, the German Consulate General, the German Information Center
and the Goethe Institute, and received overwhelming volunteer support from the German community in Los Angeles.
The combined efforts of the sponsors and the community
helped get MADE IN GERMANY off the ground. AFI: When did you decide
to collaborate with AFI FEST, and what prompted that decision? Danckwerts: AFI FEST was running at about the same time as we did, and one year it was screening
a German film also showing at MADE IN GERMANY.
Rather than continuing to send film prints back and forth every year, I decided that it would be good to work together to create synergies with marketing and other services. We kept the original name and are now in our fourth year with AFI FEST. This year's six films present
a glimpse of what German filmmakers can do and what their voices can be, and although they are all quite different from each other our common theme is exactly that variety--of the visionary
range of new German voices and perspectives. For the future, we are looking into avenues of building upon our existing
foundation, possibly by adding retrospective films. AFI: Will audiences have a chance to interact with the directors of each film? Danckwerts: Absolutely--
our goal is to not only present our films to the American public, but (to present) our filmmakers as well. With any artistic endeavor it is wonderful to be able to meet the artists
 in person, discuss their visions, inspirations and philosophies. I am particularly
interested to see how American audiences will react to the first screening of SOPHIE SCHOLL--to see how different nations, cultures and mentalities
meet and interact. The lead actress from SOPHIE SCHOLL is coming and will be present with director Marc Rothemund for a Q&A session. AFI: What sort of activities are you undertaking for this year's AFM in Santa Monica? Danckwerts: I am organizing
the national German film office at AFM. It's an umbrella
office for German world sales companies to present and market their films. Fifteen independent German companies
are coming, and all AFM participants are warmly invited
to stop by our film desk for more information on German
films, and to check out all of the other projects that are not included at the MADE IN GERMANY festival. There is much to discover.
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