The reaction of the Austrian director Ulrich Seidl to accusations of exploiting Romanian children during the filming of Sparta

The Austrian director Ulrich Seidl rejects the accusations related to the exploitation of Romanian children during the filming a few years ago in our country for the movie Sparta, complained anonymously by the actors and parents for Der Spiegel.

“I have the greatest respect for all actors and actresses and I would never make decisions that would in any way endanger their physical and mental well-being,” said the 69-year-old filmmaker, quoted by the Austrian news agency APA.

“We have never crossed the boundaries of what is ethical and moral when filming,” said Ulrich Seidl.

According to an investigation carried out by the weekly Der Spiegel, the Austrian director deliberately hid from the non-professional minor actors between the ages of 9 and 16 and their parents the fact that the film also addresses the theme of pedophilia.

“Sparta” is his latest film and it deals with pedophilia. Shortly before the film’s release, allegations surfaced that children were exposed to alcoholism, violence and nudity on set, without sufficient training and without proper supervision.

Ulrich Seidl denies the accusations and claims that parents and minors were informed about the content of the film and were told that the film is about an adult “who feels attracted to children” and “assumes a kind of parental role” ‘.

The drama about a man with pedophile tendencies who teaches minors martial arts was shot in 2018-2019 in northwestern Romania. “Sparta” will premiere on September 9 at the Toronto International Film Festival and is a contender for the Golden Peel at the San Sebastián Film Festival