The crew of the successful Austrian film about Sissi Bodicein the race for the Oscars, is in crisis this Sunday, after the announcement of the accusation for possession of child pornography material by Florian Teichtmeister, the actor who plays Emperor François Joseph.
The ORF public television, which co-financed the feature film, “immediately refrains from producing and broadcasting works with Florian Teichtmeister”, can be read on the audiovisual group’s website.
According to the ORF, the Cineplexx cinema chain, which manages 400 theaters in twelve countries, has also withdrawn from the poster the work presented last year in Cannes in the selection “Un certain mirada”.
Maintain Oscar nomination
But the professional association of the Austrian film industry told AFP that it was maintaining “in consultation with the director and the producers” the candidacy of Bodice for the Oscars.
It is necessary to “mark the difference” between the film and the behavior of its actor, he begs, when he selected him to represent the country in the next ceremony, in the category of best foreign film.
On Friday, the lawyer of Florian Teichtmeister, 43, announced to the media the accusation, since confirmed by the Vienna public prosecutor’s office, of his client who intends to plead guilty and will be tried from February 8.
He is accused of having possessed a large amount of child pornography material, between at least February 2008 and August 2021. He risks up to two years in prison.
A film financed by more than 90 countries
In a press release sent to AFP on Sunday, the film’s producers Bodice, Johanna Scherz and Alexander Glehr, claim that filming took place before “the first rumors” appeared “in autumn 2021”. Confronted, the actor had told them “with conviction” that they were “fake”.
“In the meantime, we have informed our co-producers, distributors and business partners, financiers and sponsors, as well as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, in detail. [qui remet les Oscars] on the facts currently available to the public,” they added.
The film, which is a box office success and has been presented at nearly 70 festivals where it has received various awards, has been purchased by more than 90 countries. It was released in late December in the United States. Florian Teichtmeister attended premieres in Austria and Germany.
The director and screenwriter of Bodice Marie Kreutzer said she was “sad and angry that a feminist film […] it is so dirty and damaged by the horrible actions of just one person.” The Austrian national theater Burgtheater, where the actor is a member, has also announced his dismissal with immediate effect.
Source: BFM TV
