condolence
Steinmeier recognizes Achternbusch as a “universal artist”
Filmmaker and author Herbert Achternbusch died at the age of 83. Photo: Frank Mächler/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
Herbert Achternbusch was a filmmaker, writer and painter. Now he died at 83. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier honored him for his enrichment of the German cultural landscape.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier described the late Munich director Herbert Achternbusch as a “unique universal artist”.
As a filmmaker, writer and painter, he “invaluably enriched the German cultural landscape, also because he provoked and polarized,” Steinmeier wrote in a letter of condolence to Achternbusch’s daughter on Friday. “Your father was one of the most creative, uncompromising and unconventional artists – a brilliant quick-change artist who has always remained true to himself.”
As the city of Munich confirmed on Thursday, Achternbusch died at the age of 83. Exactly when the artist died is as yet unknown, as are the plans for the funeral.
Achternbusch is best known for his bizarre films such as “Andechser Feeling” or “The Ghost”. He also created plays, published books and hundreds of pictures. Achternbusch’s work was characterized by a love-hate relationship with his native Bavaria.
The Federal President wrote: “His extensive work is anything but a Bavarian-regional phenomenon.” The plays and films of Achternbusch are “an invitation to think, to philosophize and also to protest”.