Hans-Günther Bücking, the acclaimed German director and cinematographer, has passed away, as confirmed by his wife, actress Marion Mitterhammer, to the German Press Agency (dpa). Bücking was an influential figure in the film industry, having worked as a cinematographer on over 60 films and directing 20 films since the early 1980s.
Notable Works
His directorial credits include ten episodes of the popular ZDF crime series „Wilsberg“ featuring Leonard Lansink, the drama „Jennerwein“ with Fritz Karl (2003), and the dark comedy „Die Häupter meiner Lieben“ starring Heike Makatsch (1999).
As a cinematographer, he worked on several acclaimed films, such as „Schneeland“ (2005), „Solo für Klarinette“ (1998), „Todesspiel“ (1997), and „Das merkwürdige Verhalten geschlechtsreifer Großstädter zur Paarungszeit“ (1998).
A Legacy of Simplicity
Bücking received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the German Film Award and the German Cinematography Award. Marion Mitterhammer noted that her husband’s cinematography had a lasting influence on German cinema, stating, „In the end, he always said: Only the simple is truly great. This became his theme.“ He passed away on April 24 in Sollstedt-Wülfingerode, near Nordhausen, at the age of 73.
Early Life and Career
Born in Bleicherode, Thuringia, Bücking fled with his family to West Germany in 1961 as a teenager. He gained early experience in the film industry as a camera assistant and lighting technician on productions by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Roland Klick, and Margarethe von Trotta before embarking on his own directing and cinematography career.
Unique Projects
One of his particularly unique projects was „Lotti oder der etwas andere Heimatfilm“ (2020), which involved a large number of citizens from his hometown. Approximately 300 residents of Bleicherode participated in the casting and filming, with Mitterhammer playing the title role of Lotti alongside predominantly amateur actors.
The film tells the story of a former porn star returning to her hometown. Bücking reflected on the experience, saying, „We didn’t reinvent cinema, but we had fun and created a wonderful sense of community in a rather neglected area.“