Berlin Film Festival Offers Hope Amid Germany’s Ongoing Pandemic Struggles

variety.com:

Ed Meza @edmezavarOrganizers of the upcoming Berlinale continue to plan for a physical festival under strict safety measures, but with the EFM already moved online due to rising COVID-19 cases, this year looks set to be another gloomy gathering, not only for Germany’s dispirited film sector, but also for Berlin businesses bracing for more lost revenue.Local cinema operators and distributors have welcomed the move, but the condensed event and ongoing Omicron scare is likely to keep attendance on the low side.“This is such an important signal for the entire culture and film industry,” says Christian Bräuer, chairman of independent cinema association AG Kino – Gilde and managing director of Berlin’s Yorck-Kino group. “Of course, as social venues, we are aware of our responsibility.

Especially in the pandemic, however, the special value of cultural life and experience is evident.” While city life has markedly improved since last year, when it had all but disappeared during the lockdown, the mood remains subdued.

People visiting local establishments, whether eating out or going to the movies, have to show proof of vaccination or COVID recovery, a requirement known locally as the 2G rule: geimpft or genesen, German for “vaccinated” or “recovered.” Among local businesses, the new safety measures are often blamed for keeping customers away and hurting the bottom line.Indeed, across Germany, the introduction of the 2G rule as well as the stricter 2G Plus, which requires an additional negative test, have been “catastrophic” for restaurants and hotels, according to the German Hotel and Restaurant Assn.