Filmmaker Andrea Pizzini is taking legal action against South Tyrolean regional politician Jürgen Wirth Anderlan following a social media video that falsely linked Pizzini to public funding for his COVID-19 documentary “Wellenbrecher.” According to reports from regional media, Pizzini announced a criminal complaint against the List JWA politician after his demands for a public apology and video retraction went unanswered.
The Social Media Accusation and Pizzini’s Response
In a published social media video, Jürgen Wirth Anderlan claimed that Andrea Pizzini received nearly 20,000 euros in public funds for his pandemic-era film project, suggesting the filmmaker produced the work on behalf of the regional government. Pizzini countered these statements through his own video on social media, clarifying that he received a total of 3,000 euros—not for the “Wellenbrecher” project, but as a general COVID-19 financial subsidy.
According to Pizzini, the remaining financial allocations cited by Wirth Anderlan were distributed to a completely different individual—a man approximately 20 years younger who shares the same name. Pizzini stated that this distinction is clearly visible through the respective tax identification numbers of the beneficiaries, a detail he claims the politician failed to verify before publishing the allegations.
Verification of Film Funding and Political Counter-Claims
Pizzini’s documentary “Wellenbrecher” examines the daily reality inside intensive care units during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the project earned widespread recognition, it also drew criticism from pandemic skeptics.
The question of public financing for the documentary previously reached the South Tyrolean regional parliament. Responding to an official inquiry by Vita regional councilor Renate Holzeisen, former Provincial Minister for Health Hubert Messner stated explicitly that Pizzini received zero public financial support for his work, neither from the South Tyrolean health authority (Südtiroler Sanitätsbetrieb) nor from the provincial health department.
Amid the ongoing dispute, Eppan Green Party municipal council member Felix von Wohlgemuth noted in social media comments that Jürgen Wirth Anderlan himself received 7,500 euros in COVID-19 relief funding in 2021 as financial support designated for ski instructors.
Next Steps in the Legal Dispute
Because the requested retraction and apology did not materialize, Pizzini confirmed his intent to formally file a criminal complaint against the regional lawmaker. The legal filing centers on the unverified financial claims broadcast online.
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