Trivia

His father Robert was a watchmaker and his business in Morbach was later taken over by Reitz's brother Guido.

Father of Christian Reitz.

Member of the 'Official Competition' jury at the 29th Venice International Film Festival in 1968.

Member of the 'Official Competition' jury at the 62nd Venice International Film Festival in 2005.

President of the 'Leopards of Tomorrow' jury at the 69th Locarno International Film Festival in 2016.

President of the 'International Jury' at the 57th Mannheim-Heidelberg Filmfestival in 2008.

Left his home at 19 in order to pursue an artistic career.

Married to the singer and actress Salome Kammer, who appeared in Heimats 2 and 3.

Reitz's interest in acting and producing plays began in his school years in Simmern, where he was encouraged by his German teacher Karl Windhäuser.

Professor of Film at the Staatliche Hochschule fur Gestaltung (State University of Design) in Karlsruhe.

Has great admiration for Federico Fellini, Luchino Visconti and Robert Altman.

His passion for cinema began in his early teens when he befriended the movie-house projectionist in his native village. In return for assistance he provided in changing reels, he was allowed to watch all the films.

Celebrated his 50th birthday at the day he completed Heimat, and says he knew for the first time what film making was all about.

Describes ''Heimat'' as a feature film and not a mini-series.