"I am a great friend of learning"
The five-part series "Deutsches Haus" deals with the Frankfurt Auschwitz trial, which forced some people to break their almost 20-year silence. Among them is Edith Bruhns, played by Anke Engelke. In the interview, the 55-year-old explains, among other things, why telling stories like this is always important and what problems she has with too much emphasis being placed on the opinions of celebrities.
ntv.de: Were you familiar with Annette Hess' book before you were approached with the project?
Anke Engelke: No. I knew the book existed because I'm a bit of an Annette Hess fan. I think people have her on their radar because of the series "Weissensee" and "Kudamm", which many people have seen. But I read the book immediately after recovering from the shock of actually being asked to write "Deutsches Haus".
Did it help you to get a feel for the role of Edith Bruhns, or is the script more decisive in the end?
Annette Hess didn't advise me not to read the novel. She said that Edith is one of the few characters who are not much different in the novel than in the series. But of course the character comes to life differently when she is given stage directions in a screenplay. Even if it doesn't say what Edith feels, such a stage direction is always helpful. In this respect, it was a different process to deal with Edith.
What is it in general that appeals to you in your roles - which have recently become increasingly serious - and what was it in particular with Edith Bruhns?
Oh, I can answer that in one go, I wouldn't reduce it to the serious subject at all, it's actually the case with all characters that I'm interested in finding a truthfulness, in understanding a character, even if Edith is one of those that I haven't completely understood to this day. I'm interested in exploring characters and bringing them to life, regardless of genre, or rather regardless of genre. And whether it's laughter or tragedy and drama afterwards doesn't matter to me in the development process. I put on make-up and get dressed ... and even if that's not the case, like in the movie "Mother", for example. I looked like me then. The director Carolin Schmitz didn't want me to look any different. But that wasn't me either, it was a role, not my feelings, not my words.
Is it more difficult to play a role whose behavior you can't understand at all - like Edith, without wanting to spoil anything at this point?
No, that's great. On the contrary, I found it very interesting and downright challenging to play someone who I can't understand in parts. You can tell that Edith is overwhelmed and struggling with herself. So I didn't have to create that at all, it was already immanent. Incidentally, not understanding a character is not limited to the so-called dramatic play. I've also played characters that were apparently funny or humorous that I didn't understand. I thought they were so distant, so alien and so difficult to understand. I can't understand it, but I still want to play it because it's not mutually exclusive.
German films and German series like to deal with the inglorious history of our country. Sometimes it's East-West, sometimes - as in "Deutsches Haus" - the Nazi era, the Third Reich, the Holocaust. Is this important so that all this is not forgotten, as there are fewer and fewer contemporary witnesses?
Absolutely. Even if nobody is forced to watch something, it is very, very important to film it. I think it's good to shed light on these historical topics from different perspectives. I really like the fact that we go along with a young woman who knows nothing, even though she is affected by it. The more stories we tell that are in danger of being forgotten and the more we deal with things that we can learn from, the better. I'm a big fan of learning and changing perspectives. I start with myself. Before I judge others, I first check whether I've taken a close look and whether I'm neutral enough. Whether I have looked at the facts or just have an opinion. And whether I am patient, empathetic and approachable enough.
As a public figure, how necessary do you think it is to take a public stance on socially relevant issues? For example, with regard to the events in Israel and Gaza, celebrities have been calling for more of a stance ...
Good question, I'm generally very skeptical or suspicious of the over-focus on celebrities, because celebrity doesn't automatically include wisdom and knowledge. Why should the opinions of celebrities be more important than those of everyone else and especially experts? I am an actress by profession and have no reason to give my opinion. Fortunately, everyone can decide for themselves, including so-called celebrities. Personally, I'm a bit uncomfortable with celebrity statements.
What's the best way to deal with it, or how did you deal with it?
First and foremost, I want to act and tell stories. Whereby my choice of roles and projects already says a lot about my view of topics, my attitude. I think that if lots of people are watching, listening and not only noticing what you do, but perhaps also liking it, then you have a certain responsibility. That sounds like a phrase, but there really is something to it. For example, when it comes to charity work. I've been involved with a medical charity for 20 years. I use the money I win on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" or "L.O.L." to travel to Africa to look at projects there and support this organization.
It probably helps to stay away from social media and not emotionally bang something into the keyboard because it comes to mind. You've never been on Instagram, Facebook and the like?
It's crazy: when I have to use a smartphone in a scene during filming, social media in general, I always need a crash course because I don't know how to use it, how to handle it or how to speak it. I always have to be shown how to wipe something. For me, social media is nothing because I find side effects such as cyberbullying and hate comments frightening and alarming.
And it eats up time. A lot, in fact. So if you ask yourself where you find the time for all your projects, it's clear that you don't waste it on social media.
I have time and I have no pressure. I enjoy beautiful things much more. Sharing views and opinions. Inviting other people into my world and asking for and demanding other points of view. I would like to know more. That doesn't make me smarter, doesn't make me wiser and certainly doesn't make me an expert. But knowing more can perhaps protect me from making hasty judgments. And because I know what it feels like to be judged, I am wary of it.
But you only have this kind of aversion to a smartphone and the corresponding social media apps, not to new technologies in general, right?
I have a laptop and I'm just as dependent on technology as everyone else. Up to a certain point. I'd be pretty stupid if I didn't use the internet. The series here is streamed, for example. If I were to condemn and reject that, it would be totally out of fashion. I think it's wonderful that everyone can decide for themselves how they want to live their lives. I certainly don't want to live my life with a device in my hand.
"Deutsches Haus" is now available on Disney+.
After finishing the five-part series "Deutsches Haus," Anke Engelke decided to take a break from streaming and switched to watching traditional TV programming.
During her downtime, Anke found herself curious about Disney's new streaming service and decided to give it a try. To her surprise, she discovered that "Deutsches Haus" was also available on Disney+.
Source: www.ntv.de
