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‘A Bullet to the Heart of Your Privacy’ – Interview with David Schütter
He has already played Alexander the Great in the docu-series ‘Terra X’, portrayed a rent boy in the award-winning short film ‘Porn Punk Poetry’ and a neo-Nazi in ‘We Are Young. We Are Strong.’ As a model for Levis, David Schütter followed in Brad Pitt’s footsteps. This month, the 25-year-old native of Hamburg can be seen twice on the big screen.
In ‘Das Kalte Herz’ the cinema-savvy actor plays Frederick Lau’s rival. In ‘Unsere Zeit ist jetzt’, about the masked rapper Cro, he stars alongside Til Schweiger, with whom he will also appear at the end of the year in Wolfgang Petersen’s ‘Vier gegen die Bank.’ “That’s someone who brushes his teeth with whiskey,” says the panda-rapper about the young star. [030] staff member Dieter Oßwald spoke to the actor, grandson of acting legend Friedrich Schütter.
Mr Schütter, what connects you with Cro?
Firstly, I AM Cro! (Laughs) Secondly: Cro is good at what he does. Thirdly: I’ve been rapping since I was thirteen. And I spend a lot of time with and enjoy German rap.
What connects you with Til Schweiger?
The sense of ‘just get on with it’. Having a vision and, if need be,
doggedly seeing it through. Not letting others interfere until your vision has nothing to do with the original idea anymore.
What was the best advice you got from Til Schweiger?
It’s better to build on your strengths than correct your weaknesses. Make the best of what nature has given you.
To what extent is the mockery of Schweiger on social networks a cautionary tale?
It really is unpleasant. Although I don’t have all that much to do with social networks, I’m not that type at all. I prefer to keep things analogue and not constantly be glued to these mobile devices. There’s nothing more annoying than sitting in a group and someone whips out their phone, deciding to hang out with the whole world instead of those right next to them.
Why act in a fairy tale?
I find it especially lovely that fairy tales allow you to convey moral values, referencing our own times without having to set them in reality. Fairy tales have always been told, and that shouldn’t change. They’re simply beautiful stories.
Why do jeans adverts?
Because jeans feel best worn without underwear and because you can wear them for ages without needing to wash them, or at least that’s what it feels like. And, of course, for the money. (Laughs)
How do you react to James Dean comparisons?
With glee. Everyone likes a compliment. But thinking about it more, I’d rather be an original than a copy. So I’d sooner be the first of my kind than the second of someone else.
Is good looks an opportunity or a curse in this job?
I can’t really speak of a curse as I’ve had the chance to play some roles outside the pretty boy mould. But it is noticeable that you’re often asked to be the love interest, and that’s unfortunately not always especially interesting to play, so sometimes that date ends with a rejection.
What is the most important quality in this profession?
Authenticity and hard work. Wait: It wouldn’t be authentic to talk about hard work. So just authenticity. Also the urge to want to tell something as a character in a story.
No matter what kind. Someone who tells a story because they feel they must will never tell it as well as someone who really wants to tell it.
What is the least pleasant side of acting?
Waiting and learning lines. Absolutely unbearable. Waiting for castings, waiting for rejections or acceptances, waiting for filming to start, waiting for action, waiting for premieres, and then back to the start again.
I’m quite an impatient person. Especially when it’s a process I can’t influence.
Why did you choose this profession?
I don’t really know exactly. Maybe because it’s easier to engage with others—i.e.,
a character—than with myself. But perhaps also because you get to understand yourself and the world better when you see things from different perspectives now and again.
How much do you have to have in common with your roles? Can you play anything?
Yes, anything the role demands of me. Except a beautiful woman. Basically, the further a role is from me personally, the more interesting I find it. The change of perspective is always fascinating.
How far would you go in playing a role?
“To infinity and beyond,” to quote Buzz Lightyear from ‘Toy Story’. I’d go far indeed as long as it doesn’t harm anyone else.
How does it feel to see yourself on the big screen? How vain are actors, really?
I’m very self-critical. When I see a film, it’s usually a year after filming and in the meantime, I’ve learned a lot and spot loads of old mistakes. So I don’t actually like watching myself on the big screen that much.
Your grandfather was acting legend Friedrich Schütter. What was the best advice from your granddad?
I never got any advice from my granddad personally, as I was too young when he died.
How big is your fear of fame?
I don’t know. But I think being famous these days is pretty demanding, as most people are quicker with their mobiles and selfies than Lucky Luke with his Colt. An innocent snapshot can sometimes feel like a bullet to the heart of your privacy.