Overview
- His film production and chosen family confirmed he died peacefully in Berlin overnight, with no cause disclosed.
- He had married his long-time partner Oliver Sechting just days earlier, and both Sechting and the “Wahlfamilie” shared public farewell messages.
- Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier lauded his societal impact, with Berlin’s mayor Kai Wegner and Frankfurt’s leadership issuing tributes.
- Over a six-decade career he made roughly 150 films that shaped independent cinema, including Die Bettwurst and Rex Gildo – Der letzte Tanz.
- Recent output included the late-November release of Satanische Sau, and he completed filming on a project titled Sex und Tod in the autumn.