The grotesque debate about Karl May’s western is entering the next round: Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR) wants to provide the films with “classifying information”.
Game and book publisher Ravensburger started the discussion a few weeks ago: As reported, the company has withdrawn two children’s books and a puzzle because the “Winnetou titles hurt the feelings of others”. In the ensuing debate, terms such as cultural appropriation, racism and “downplaying colonization and genocide” came up.
In any case, the German public broadcaster ARD, unlike ZDF, no longer wants to broadcast the classics of “Winnetou”. The Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR) is now taking a different, no less remarkable path: it wants to provide films with ‘classifying information’ if they display racist stereotypes.
In any case, the MDR wants to continue to show the classics, but: “From our point of view it is also important to have accompanying reporting and a contemporary classification that allows a debate that does justice to the subject,” says the broadcaster.
ORF elegantly sidesteps the debate: “No licenses”
A discussion that (still) saves the ORF. The Küniglbergers don’t currently have any licensing contracts for the “Winnetou” movies – but the interest in getting one in the current situation seems to be ending.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
