In the midst of Sundance Deals and mainstream news, here are some indie bites:

• While it won't be competing, Jam! reports that Guy Maddin's wonderful film My Winnipeg will screen on the opening night of Berlinale's International Forum of New Cinema program. (Check out my TIFF review here.) Personally, I wish it could compete and then take over the world, but I realize that Maddin hasn't gotten enough recognition yet. (He's seriously one of the most accessible filmmakers of strange fare out there. Go check him out if you haven't already.) While Winnipeg isn't competing, another production with Canadian roots is -- Amos Kollek's Restless.
• Meanwhile, Til Schweiger continues to face problems. After ticking people off with his risque all-ages comedy, now Variety reports that he's quit the German Film Academy in protest. Why? Because Keinohrhasen, the movie that's been making waves, wasn't considered for a German film award. The Academy claims they didn't register in time, and that should it get registered, it could be eligible in 2009. I guess that wasn't good enough for Schweiger.
• Remember that movie ban in China? Well, now Variety reports that The Water Horse will be the first foreign film to screen to bust through the ban, over the previously announced Atonement. The latter is screening on February 22, but Horse nabbed itself a February 16 screen date. Will this "blackout" continue? Is it all just a farce? Stay tuned!

Til Schweiger has been the hottie of the German film scene for a while now, but along with heartthrob, he can add in the title of parent and media provoker. Variety reports that the actor, who recently wrote, produced, directed, and starred in Keinohrhasen has angered many in Germany for the sexual content contained in the comedy. The film is about a womanizer, played by Schweiger, who has to do community service at a kindergarten, and clashes with the teacher.

The flick got a general admissions rating, which allows children of 6 and older to see the film. Since little tykes can see it and it's set in a kindergarten, many people have been taking their families to the pic and getting quite a surprise. Intermingled with the kids and community service is a lot of adult content which is making many German youths ask a lot of questions about sexual terms (like b-jobs). I guess Schweiger didn't go to Grease to see how to thinly veil sex in a way that kids can enjoy without having any idea what the film is really about.

The ratings board is trying to defend their position, while Schweiger not only says that he thought it would get a 12 and up rating, but also dismisses the complaints: "I can understand that some parents might not want to watch this film with their younger children. But, on the other hand, a lot of children under 12 know a lot more about the facts of life than their parents would ever believe." Now, I'm far from some stodgy anti-sex ranter, but I can see why parents wouldn't want their 6-year-olds asking about sexual techniques. Have any of you seen the comedy? Thoughts?