Former BVK President Johannes Kirchlechner speaks about the ongoing partnership between Italian (AIC) and German (BVK) societies of cinematographers that constitutes the foundation of the CineCampus activities.

• You have been one of the inspirers of the partnership between AIC and BVK that  nowadays constitutes the foundation of the CineCampus curricula.  What can you tell us about it? How has it progressed throughout the years?

It was a great stroke of luck that I learnt about the CineCampus ‘Terre di Cinema’. I was president of the BVK at that time and was happy to seize the opportunity to rejuvenate the connection between the AIC and the BVK. There was already a close bond between the highly decorated colleagues from the era of the New German Cinema and the Italian Neorealism, which resulted in the founding of IMAGO, among other things. The acquaintance with the very active AIC member Vincenzo Condorelli, the bustling organiser of the CineCampus, proved to be not only extremely productive, but also profoundly friendly. This close connection is what makes the co-operation so fruitful and rewarding for all sides. The workshop benefits from the cooperation of proven professionals in their field, and the associations profit from the concrete collaboration on a joint project, which is more unifying than ‘class reunions’, at which excellent discussions and politicking take place but little concrete progress is made in the end. In the meantime, the involvement besides the modest financial support for Terre di Cinema has become an integral part of the BVK’s international activities, which it greatly appreciates. The CineCampus is now a fixed and eagerly awaited part of the working year for all of us.

• As a cinematographer what can youn tell us about the CineCampus? In your opinion what is the formula of its success?

The CineCampus is a fantastic and globally unique event. Nowhere else will young filmmakers, aspiring directors and cinematographers find such a detailed and comprehensive workshop with the opportunity to shoot a short film – on film! ‘Terre di Cinema’ offers an intensive introduction to working on film, the presentation of the latest film equipment, which is then also available for shooting, workshops by top filmmakers, personal support during the preparation and shooting phase by the tutors, who are all professionals from the set – and all this for a comparatively moderate price. These extremely intensive two weeks are full of unforgettable ‘aha’ experiences for the participants, during which the value of trusting teamwork is experienced and close friendships are often formed. This concept, in which the entire process of making a film is experienced on a small scale, is what makes TDC so unique and so successful.

• More in general, what is, in your opinion, the state of the art of cinematography in Germany and, on a broader level, in the rest of Europe?

In Germany, as in the whole of Europe, professionalism in the field of cinematography remains at the highest level. This refers not only to the mastery and penetration of the latest technologies, but also to creative inventiveness, which in the best case goes hand in hand. The need to create outstanding images with medium to small budgets is a virtue that can naturally only flourish where the scarcity of resources is a characteristic of the biotope. I believe that an environment that forces us to make a virtue out of necessity is a powerful driving force for creativity. In Europe, and in Germany in particular, not everything is gold and we can’t generally draw on the full, but we make the best of it and grow from it. This is also a core experience for the participants at the CineCampus, which they may struggle with at the moment, but which will ultimately prove to be invaluably instructive.

• How do you see the future of Terre di Cinema and its CineCampus?

I believe that the CineCampus will continue to be very popular in the future because it consistently implements its unique concept and gives participants more time than similar imitations, while offering unrivalled value for money. Above all, ‘Terre di Cinema’ is a workshop that is constantly evolving, constantly reinventing itself and recognising the needs of the times and integrating them into its programme. In 2024, for example, there will be a workshop on the topic of AI, a burning issue that will not only bring major upheavals to our industry. No, AI is a turning point phenomenon that will bring both opportunities and unforeseen challenges for our future. TDC has its ear to the ground and is not standing still.