Amendment Entertainment
February 18, 2005
You can envision it already -- the lights dim, the curtains open, the film begins. The title: The 11th Article, The Freedom of Movement. A family moves from one home to another. Students move in together and back out after one week of not washing the dishes. You may have more imaginative movie ideas and if you do, then you may want to contact Harald Siebler.
The film producer Siebler plans to make short films over the 19 articles of the German constitution but it shouldn't be in a dry legalistic kind of way. Already, prominent young German directors like Dani Levy and Peter Kahane have expressed interest in making a short film that portrays one of the articles in "a dramatic, funny, original and moving manner -- but the stories should also make your think," said Siebler.
Filming the law
Politicians also think the idea is good. Parliamentary President Wolfgang Thierse has praised the silver screen idea, particularly at a time when some groups aren't particularly enthusiastic about democracy.
The German acting community is also throwing their weight behind the project. Maria Schrader, Anna Thalbach, Klaus J. Behrendt, Joachim Krol and Birol Ünel all want to participate.
Yet, the films should not be outright warnings with actors shaking their fingers at the viewing audience. Some of the articles make for very good material such as the above-mentioned 11th Article or number 13, which preserves the inviolability of your home.
Unfortunately, writers can no longer submit their grandiose scripts for the project. They are already finished and are just waiting for producers to sponsor them. Siebler has ambitious plans for the 19 ten-minute films. He would like to debut them at next year's Berlinale. Sponsors of the project will even be rewarded with a ticket to the film's opening.