This year, the usage contract for the space in front of the opera expires, but according to Filmnächte boss Michael Claus it is to be extended until 2023. Too short for him. He would have liked a five- or ten-year term in order to have planning security and to be able to make important investments, for example in technology.
This year, the usage contract for the space in front of the opera expires, but according to Filmnächte boss Michael Claus it is to be extended until 2023. Too short for him. He would have liked a five- or ten-year term in order to have planning security and to be able to make important investments, for example in technology.
The city now states the reason why the special use for the Theaterplatz can be extended by a maximum of two years: “From 2024 – as one of the most important and representative places in the city of Chemnitz – it will be available for use as part of the 2025 Capital of Culture,” explains one Spokeswoman. However, the city is striving to find a format that also includes the film nights, “just no longer exclusive,” she added. The sports forum has been proposed as a possible new location for the film nights from 2024. Any possible use must, however, be subordinate to the sports business. Michael Claus confirms talks with the city about the stadium. However, this is a “topic of the future” that will be discussed in a few years. But he could certainly imagine concerts and popular sports events there, he said. In general, he wants to get more involved in Chemnitz.
Claus also sees a need for discussion with the city on another topic: at evening events that last longer than 10 p.m., such as concerts. Statutory regulations regarding the night’s rest stipulate that all events on Theaterplatz must end at 10 p.m. There are exceptions for so-called rare events that are allowed to go on for longer. There are supposed to be 13 such events in the city this year, three of which got the movie nights. But Claus has many more concert inquiries, as numerous festivals are canceled due to the pandemic and the artists are looking for other performance opportunities. Therefore, Claus turned to Mayor Sven Schulze with a request to adapt the regulations to current needs. But a negative answer came from the town hall. Sven Schulze explained to Michael Claus in a letter “that his proposed extensions to the so-called rare events and also the time frame of the film nights are unfortunately not feasible”, explained a spokeswoman. Above all, the Theaterplatz is not suitable for a large number of rare events from an immission control point of view due to the surrounding buildings to be protected, in particular the apartments, said the spokeswoman. Accordingly, you have to be sensitive to the implementation of rare events.
A postponement of the night’s rest from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. – analogous to the Brühl – is not possible. The basis for postponing the night’s sleep on the Brühl is the so-called Technical Instructions for Protection against Noise. However, it does not apply to leisure facilities such as the Theaterplatz as part of its use by the film nights, according to the town hall.
There is no financial support for the series of events either. Michael Claus would have liked it for the Tun Academy, for example. For some time now, he has been offering makers from Chemnitz the chance to present their personal project for 15 minutes before a film screening. This year he and his team had the idea of offering workshops, for example on press work and dealing with social media, for the people behind the idea. This should enable them to advance their project. Claus says he respects the city’s regulations, but that solutions are also needed for the film nights that would add value to the city. The film nights shone far across the region, producing images that advertise the city.
The city administration explains that too little funding is available for too many funding applications. Priority is to support recognized charitable organizations and to maintain the cultural diversity in Chemnitz. Funds were also given to initiatives that had little or no opportunity to raise their own funds. Due to the fundamentally commercial orientation of the Meisterwerke Neo-Gesellschaft – the host of the film nights – and because the company generates income from entrance fees and receives money from advertising and sponsorship, the cultural advisory board and culture committee decided not to support the company, according to the spokeswoman for the city administration .