Fed: Interesting time for German film, says Heike Makatsch

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2006
Fed: Interesting time for German film, says Heike Makatsch

By Jonathon Moran, National Entertainment Writer

SYDNEY, April 20 AAP - German actor Heike Makatsch has enjoyed some international success,
with roles in films like Love Actually, but she's keen to keep working in her home country.

The actor, who once dated new James Bond star Daniel Craig, says it is an interesting
time for German cinema and she wants to be part of it.

"The bottom line of it is that in Germany I have got more chance to really get parts
that are more ambitious than I could in international films," said Makatsch, in Sydney
for the Goethe Institute 2006 German Film Festival.

"If something comes along, that will be great and if it doesn't, I would hope that
I could shape German film a little bit and have some sort of influence there."

Makatsch has more than 30 film credits to her name, three of which will screen at the
German Film Festival this month.

They are Almost Heaven, No Songs of Love and Against All Odds.

Makatsch, 35, is one of Germany's biggest film stars, but she plays down her stardom.

"It is always relative," she said.

"Yes, I am quite busy. But it is like when you have some sort of idea what you want
to do, or what films you want to do, there aren't so many around suddenly."

And unlike film stars in the UK or America, Makatsch insists that paparazzi is not
a problem in Germany.

"There are some stars that maybe attract that kind of attention but if you don't want
it, you won't get it," she said.

"I can go shopping and some people might take a second glance but it is not something
that I really notice or that would hinder me."

Makatsch got her acting break after hosting a German music show called Bravo.

She then went on to host her own show, Heike Makatsch - Die Show, where she was noticed
for her first film role, Maennerpension (Jailbirds).

"It is quite a good time for German film at the moment," she said passionately.

"Somehow, something has freed itself when it comes to how film makers express themselves.

I feel anything is possible at the moment.

"Those films that do make it into the cinema in the end are all very interesting and German."

The German Film Festival will open in Sydney on April 20, running through to April 30.

Concurrent festivals will also be held in Melbourne, Canberra, and Brisbane.

AAP jwm/cjh/de

KEYWORD: MAKATSCH (PIX AVAILABLE)

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