Drama 'In die Sonne schauen' Sweeps German Film Awards with Golden Lola

Senta Berger, 85, was named best lead actress for her performance in that film, which was directed by her son Simon Verhoeven. Her co-star Michael Wittenborn won best supporting actor.

August Diehl earned best lead actor for his role in 'Das Verschwinden des Josef Mengele.' The roughly 2,400 members of the German Film Academy voted on many of the winners, similar to the Academy Awards in the United States.

The best documentary prize went to 'Siri Hustvedt - Dance Around the Self,' while 'Zirkuskind' won the Lola for best children's film. Michael 'Bully' Herbig's 'Das Kanu des Manitu' was honored as the film with the highest audience attendance this year.

A Son's Tribute to His Mother

A highlight of the evening was the tribute to Senta Berger by her son, director Simon Verhoeven. He had cast his mother because she was the best actress for the role, he said.

Verhoeven addressed the unusual dynamic of directing a parent. "Wenn man mit seiner Mutter einen Film dreht, so führt das natürlich dazu, dass man als Regisseur am Set ständig 'Mama' sagt," he remarked. "Was nicht unbedingt ideal ist oder autoritätsfördernd, aber in diesem Fall war es ganz wunderbar."

He spoke of seeing a different side of his mother through the work. "Ich habe eine andere Frau gesehen, eine Frau, die mir fremd war und die mir trotzdem so nahe kam." He added, "Ich habe deine Verletzlichkeit gesehen, deine Empfindsamkeit, deinen Humor, dein Herz, aber in einer neuen Form, einer neuen Hülle, einem neuen Rhythmus, einem anderen Menschen."

Before she won, Verhoeven had noted the milestone: "Mama, ich gratuliere dir zu deiner allerersten Nominierung für den Deutschen Filmpreis mit 85 Jahren." When she received the award, he gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Berger's Emotional Reaction

Berger herself was visibly moved. "Ich bin erst morgen glücklich," she said. "Ich bin aber aufgeregt. Heute ist es einfach zu viel."

The evening also saw legendary director Wim Wenders, 80, receive the honorary award from the German Film Academy for his contributions to German cinema. He was greeted with a standing ovation.

Wenders Addresses Controversial Scene

Wenders used his speech to address a difficult chapter from his past: a controversial nude scene in his 1975 film 'Falsche Bewegung' featuring Nastassja Kinski, who was 13 at the time.

The director acknowledged that he would not film such a scene today. "Das würde ich heute nie mehr so machen," Wenders said. He described it as a difficult chapter in his life, adding, "Ich weiß heute mehr, viel mehr. Es gibt andere Sensibilitäten, wir leben in einer völlig anderen Welt als vor 50 Jahren."

Kinski recently told the 'Süddeutsche Zeitung' that she has been trying for years to have the scene removed. "Obwohl ich mit 13 noch nicht so viel wusste, habe ich schon gemerkt, dass das nicht in Ordnung war," she said.

Wenders posed a broader question to the filmmakers in the audience about how to handle film heritage. "Kann man einen Film im Nachhinein kürzen?" he asked. He admitted he was uncertain and did not want to face the issue alone. "Ich möchte es diskutieren und ich möchte da nicht alleine bleiben."

A Question for the Film Community

He warned that cutting his film could set a precedent affecting all filmmakers. "Dann ist es bei allen anderen Filmen später möglich."

The broadcast of the ceremony experienced a temporary interruption due to an unexpected technical failure in the hall, according to a spokesperson for ARD's program directorate.

Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer, an independent, was among the guests at the gala.