The duo is part of a German crew that wants to feature St. Maarten Carnival in a two-part documentary film, each of 45 minute duration, for German TV Channel, ZDF, and the largest of its kind in the whole of Europe. The documentary is expected to be shown during prime time at Christmas time later this year.
"We want to show St. Maarten as colourful as possible to attract attention to TV viewers which will bring you a lot of tourists. We expect about 5 million viewers in Germany," explained the award-winning Podzkiewitz who boasts 25 years of experience in the film and television industry and has been a University lecturer, teaching journalists and cameramen at TFH Berlin.
His films have been shown at international festivals such as Sundance in the United States, the Berlinale, and also in London and Gothenborg. He also made the best-selling DVD "Fascinating Curacao", while his company, Blind Eye N.V. made the official film for the Coast Guard of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba titled, "Samen Sterk".
The documentary on the 40th anniversary of Carnival, which will be directed by Dietmar Schumann, will feature not only calypsonians, but also Mas camp artisans and crafts people, as well as the Grand Carnival Parade.
"This is a great opportunity to showcase St. Maarten in the German market and hopefully begin to attract more German visitors to the destination," remarked Regina LaBega, Director of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, which is coordinating the visit of the German film crew.
"With the impact of the global economic and financial meltdown expected to linger until next year, at least, we must seize every opportunity to increase the visibility of St. Maarten in relatively new markets like Germany which is considered one of the high-end source markets in Europe," added LaBega.
"These documentaries will have a very positive effect on tourism," stressed Podzkiewitz. "I personally know St. Maarten very well," he revealed.
The crew departed St. Maarten on May 2, 2009.
