By Dirk Steinbach
Alcohol, violence and abuse of power – these allegations against Til Schweiger (59, “Manta Manta – Zwoter Teil”) have shaken the film industry.
In the magazine “Der Spiegel” several employees had complained anonymously about the director and actor. He created a “climate of fear”. It was also about an incident during the “Manta Manta” shoot in the summer of 2022. Schweiger is said to have hit a high-ranking employee in the face after an argument.
So far it was unclear whether this allegation was true. This is now confirmed by Martin Moszkowicz, head of the production company Constantin (65), in the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”. “Before the shooting on July 21, 2022, Til Schweiger – apparently heavily intoxicated – was prevented by a Constantin Film employee from starting work on the location. In the ensuing argument, there was an assault.”
Constantin boss Martin Moszkowicz confirms assault by Schweiger on the film set Photo: Picture Alliance/dpa
Filming that day was canceled. “Regardless of his condition, Til Schweiger also sustained an injury to his face during the night.” The consequence for Schweiger? “In the case of physical violence on location, we issue a warning – including here – with the threat of termination and compensation in the event of repetition. The remaining days of shooting of the production were completed without another incident.”
Moszkowicz also takes the other allegations “very seriously”. “We have started with an intensive investigation.” It is already clear: During the production of “Manta Manta – Zwoter Teil” there were “very regrettable incidents” with Schweiger. However, the Constantin boss will not be specific.
One of them is said to have been this absurd scene: Schweiger is said to have asked an extra to have one of the actors autograph her bare breasts for a film scene. A Constantin spokesman had played this down until now. Now Moszkowicz says: “If a nude scene is shot, we have guidelines on how that should be done. It wasn’t acted upon here because this spontaneous scene wasn’t in the script and the production didn’t know about it.”
For him it is clear: “The times of the ‘Macker’ are over!” However, the Constantin boss also protects his star Schweiger somewhat. “Most of the crew members who worked on the film have worked with Til for many years. I don’t think they would do it if they had nothing but bad experiences all the time.”
His greatest wish: “I really hope that Til gets his problems under control. We have not planned any further projects with Til Schweiger beyond the two films that have already been made.”