Bavaria Film International (BFI) has taken over world sales for Winfried Bonengel's Fuehrer Ex which will have its world premiere in competition at the 59th Venice Film Festival.

According to BFI's head of sales Thorsten Schaumann, the story of Fuehrer Ex is likely to polarise audiences on its screening in Venice. 'The invitation to take part in the competition is a clear sign that German directors are considered to be capable of dealing with difficult topics. And the story of Fuehrer Ex is certainly not only a German, but also a European topic,' Schaumann added.

The selection of Bonengel's film and Doris Doerrie's Naked (Nackt) breaks a four year absence for German films from the Venice competition. Germany is also participating this year with the international co-productions Bear's Kiss by Sergei Bodrov and Julie Walking Home by Agnieszka Holland.