The dismissal of Wiedemann who recently implemented a reform of the illustrious National Film School of Denmark, immediately put an end to a conflict with film students, which started a couple of years ago and worsened over the last ten days.

The core of the dispute has been Wiedemann’s decision to transform the school’s practice-based teaching tradition into a bachelor’s degree model. The film students vehemently opposed the reform, which included notably:

  • the cut down of students intake (it stand at around 100 per annum today) 
  • a curriculum based on 85% generalist versus 15% specialised and vocational education across eight disciples (scriptwriting, sound, editing, fiction directing, documentary directing, animation and games directing, cinematography, film production) 
  • the removal of a head of study per speciality. 

A general strike followed by 87 of the school’s current 96 students was voted on November 12, triggered by the sacking of Arne Bro, respected head of the documentary programme. The protest movement was backed by more than 900 people who signed the film students’ online petition, and 263 local industry figures such as actress Iben Hjejle, producers Piv Bernth, Vibeke Windeløv, directors Michael Noer, Niels Arden Oplev, Jørgen Leth and Nikolaj Arcel.

The latter who graduated from the film school in 2001, told Jullands Posten newspaper: “I strongly believe that the film school we’ve had for a long time is one of the best in the world and among few film schools where a lot of students get into the industry. If you look at both the US and Europe, it is not very often that the students of the more undergraduate film schools, go out and continue directly in the industry, whereas in Denmark, you actually create working directors, screenwriters and cinematographers,” noted the director of A Royal Affair.

Among this year’s graduation students, Patricia Bbaale Bandak, winner of the 2019 Nordic Talents Pitch Prize (co-organised by the film school and Nordisk Film & TV Fond) told ww.nordicfilmandtvnews.com. “Along with the current administration, she [Wiedemann] has changed the very core and heart of the school. Instead of having a school with an artistic vision that helps you grow as an artist through your craft, under the supervision of a mentor, they chose to focus on academia and empty words. There has been a complete absence of dialogue….”

For her Wiedemann’s departure is “the first step”. “I hope that a board can be created and along with the teachers and the student body, a meaningful and genuine dialogue can hopefully take place," notes Bandak.

The Danish Culture Minister Rasmus Prehn who announced Wiedemann’s resignation due to the “untenable” situation at the film school, has now appointed Bo Damgaard, director of Film Fyn as interim director until the appointment of a new principal.

The state-supported National Film School of Denmark was founded in 1996. Wiedemann, a graduate of the film school’s editing programme and former Zentropa creative producer, took the helm of the film school in March 2014.

On the film school’s website she said: “I am proud of the development that the film school has undergone over the last five year and would like to thank the commitment that the staff, students, the Ministry and the film industry have shown throughout the development process,” before adding: The film school will always be close to my heart.”