tlz.de
19 March, 2002
Translation and annotations by Leonie Roos

The Augustiner monastery in Erfurt is one of the most important places of Luther's life. This fact is also supported by a new film on Luther that will not be shot in Wittenberg but in the church of Erfurt's monastery (25-27 April), on the Wartburg [the castle where Luther hid from his persecutors - disguised as a monk] and near Coburg. The film which is described as a mixture between feature film and documentary is to be released in autumn 2003 - Lutherans [Protestants] in the USA are one group of people the makers of the film believe will show the most interest in the movie.

The film is an international co-production and its cast will be exquisite: Luther will be embodied by Joseph Fiennes, Peter Ustinov will be Friedrich the Wise, Bruno Ganz will play Johann von Staupitz and Mathieu Carrière will play Cardinal Caiatan. "That means millions of people will see the Augustiner monastery of Erfurt", curator Lothar Schmelz rejoices - he's looking forward to hectic days of shooting the scenes of Luther joining the monastery and saying his first mass. End of April the nuns will even dispense with their prayer times in the church.

"We are also doing this for Erfurt", curator Lothar Schmelz explains. The producers expect an audience of about five million people in the US: The film aims at this market, apart from Erfurt the filming will take place on the Wartburg and around Coburg. The filming is a sign for the monastery being opened much more than before as a center for e.g. conferences, seminars, weddings etc.