The Stiftung Braunschweigischer Kulturbesitz is one of the sponsors of the Braunschweig International Film Festival. The foundation is committed to cultural projects throughout the region. The foundation's director, Maria-Rosa Berghahn, explains how the foundation gets involved and why the collaboration with the BIFF is so special.
Falk-Martin Drescher: The Stiftung Braunschweigischer Kulturbesitz (SBK) is celebrating its 20th anniversary in its current form, but has existed for much longer. What do you think makes the SBK such a special foundation, especially for the region?
Maria-Rosa Berghahn: In addition to its size and values, it is above all the foresight of Duke Julius in 1569. He did not integrate the assets into the state budget, but separated them out and used them for charitable purposes, such as education and culture, for young girls and boys. This line has been followed since 1569, and that is what makes the foundation so special.
Why is it so important for the SBK to promote so many different cultural themes, from classic areas such as theater and museums to progressive niche formats?
Our purpose is to preserve and promote the culture of the Braunschweig region. Culture is very broad; it arises from society itself. We have a broad understanding of culture and want to discover all facets. New formats in particular often have no fixed sponsors. We take a very open-minded approach, our team works without blinkers, and that is precisely what is important to us.
What significance does the collaboration with the Braunschweig International Film Festival have for you, particularly in the area of film and cinema culture?
Film art is of course a younger art form, but nevertheless very important. The film festival strengthens the visibility and identity of the region. For us, there was no question of supporting it. There is also a nice connection: We are sponsoring the festival and at the same time we are organizing the opening concert together with the Braunschweig State Orchestra and the Braunschweig State Theatre, which is our beneficiary.
And what makes the opening film concert special for you ? Why should people go?
It's fascinating every time. It's hard to imagine a movie without music. The music carries the emotions and often makes the difference between success and failure. When you experience film music live, it's an extraordinary experience. You realize the incredible art behind it. The Film Festival selects very special films and that's why I can only congratulate everyone who has bought a ticket.
You mentioned the State Theater and the State Orchestra, which are also supported by the SBK. Would you say that people in the Braunschweig region are sufficiently aware of what a great orchestra and theater we have here - with the variety of genres and the wide range on offer?
I would answer that with a clear "yes and no". Many people come into contact with it as children, for example at the Christmas fairy tales. For me personally, that was also a special experience as a child. But I think it could be even better known for what it is. We have a real gem here: a five-division house and an A-list orchestra that demonstrates the quality. I would like it to be even better known and visited more often, especially by younger people.
When we talk about movies: Which genres are particularly close to you personally? What do you like to watch when you are out and about in your private life?
I actually love action movies. Not splatter, I don't like that at all, and thrillers with psychological elements aren't for me either. But I do enjoy watching action movies. I also like romantic movies or Christmas movies. Those typical love stories at Christmas time. You always know how they end, but it's just nice for the heart. Kitsch, but still beautiful.
Are there certain films or directors that are particularly important to you?
Yes, Stanley Kubrick really. He influenced me a lot. Even SHINING made an impression on me as a child. But I was most surprised by EYES WIDE SHUT, which I didn't expect at the time.
If we make the connection between SBK and the BIFF: what can both sides learn from each other?
It's great to see what you can build up with funding. When the film festival started, it was a small seedling. Today it is firmly established in Braunschweig's cultural calendar and offers an international stage. As a foundation, we can certainly learn something from it, for example how the film festival uses social media, creates reach and appeals to new target groups. We have taken this as inspiration and adopted a few things.
Looking at the anniversary: the SBK is 20 years old, the BIFF will soon be celebrating 40 years. What wishes do you have for both?
For the foundation: We are in a solid position, but the costs are rising every year, especially for the maintenance of our old buildings. That's why we need to generate more income. Our focus is on renewable energies, so we want to become more financially independent and support even more projects in the long term. I hope that the International Film Festival continues to be so successful. It doesn't need to get any bigger, it's already wonderful. The important thing is that the funding remains secure and that great guests come to Braunschweig. Perhaps even more international stars, even if that is of course a question of money. I also wish the festival an even bigger audience and reach beyond Braunschweig, so that it becomes even more established in northern Germany.
Regardless of the opening film concert: Why should someone go to the film festival? What makes the festival special?
Film festivals offer the chance to see films that you won't find in the regular cinema program, but which are artistically special, thematically exciting and unique in terms of content. If you like movies, you should get involved. The effort is minimal: you simply go and if you don't like a movie, it's no big deal. But the chance of discovering something new is great. I find the Newcomer Award particularly exciting. You see people who are just starting out and who might one day become as big as Stanley Kubrick, who also started out small. To be there when such a talent is discovered is something very special. That's why I recommend everyone not only to attend the opening concert ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S PSYCHO - LIVE IN CONCERT, but also to take in the rest of the program.
To conclude: What role does cinema and film culture still play today, especially compared to the ability to stream movies from the comfort of your own home?
Of course, it's great that we can watch movies at home at any time. But the movie theater experience is something completely different. A movie theater is specially created for this art form. The architecture, the sound, the size of the screen - you can't replicate that at home. Even with Dolby Surround, it's still a living room, not a movie theater. Cinema is also a social experience. You sit in the theater with other people who have the same interest. You experience how others react: laughing, crying, maybe even leaving the theater. It does something to you. Not everyone has a big screen or an expensive system at home. If cinema no longer existed, many people would be deprived of this experience. That's why I'm convinced that cinema has a clear raison d'être and this is especially true for festivals that reinforce this communal experience.