![Logo des Berliner Stadtmagazins [030]](https://berlin030.de/en/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/cropped-030_Logo_kurz_neu_gruen.png){kind=logo}
“Best Not to Go to the Cinema Alone!” | Interview with Maximilian Brückner about ‘The Most Beautiful Couple’
Twelve years ago, he was crowned a ‘European Shooting Star’. Since then, Maximilian Brückner, 40, has appeared in ‘Cherry Blossoms’ by Doris Dörrie, ‘Räuber Kneißl’ by Marcus Rosenmüller and ‘Rubbeldiekatz’ by Detlev Buck. Even Steven Spielberg cast the actor for his war drama ‘War Horse’ – though his appearance was largely left on the cutting room floor. There was also bad luck for the actor on ‘Tatort’. Despite good ratings, the Bavarian was dropped as a detective in Saarbrücken by the broadcaster.
Now, Brückner presents himself in ‘The Most Beautiful Couple’ as a desperate hero, who must witness his partner being raped – and, two years later, by chance encounters the perpetrator from back then. Our contributor Dieter Oßwald spoke to the actor.
Mr Brückner, the film is really heavy stuff. Did you think so too when reading the script?
Of course, because those things are stated explicitly within it. But first and foremost, I thought: what a brilliant script with a powerful theme I have in front of me. There have been plenty of films about this, but here the story is told from the perspective of the affected couple: what does this terrible event do to these two people? You only very rarely come across scripts like this.
How well can you understand your character Malte?
As an actor, you always have to understand your character a bit, even if it were a mass murderer – you have to try to get close somehow. Though I never know exactly in advance how I’ll approach a role, it develops more through trial and error. In hindsight, for Malte I would say: in tranquillity lies aggression.
As a viewer, you wonder how you would act in such an extreme situation. Does it feel the same for the actor, or do you approach it professionally like any other role?
I don’t really ask myself those questions. With Malte, the situation is quite clear: he helplessly experiences his girlfriend being raped. It’s as if his balls are cut off that day, and he spends the rest of the film looking for them. What’s intense is how differently the genders deal with such a situation. Malte also experiences trauma; he feels psychologically violated because he couldn’t protect his wife.
What’s the atmosphere like on set when these scenes are on the filming schedule?
The atmosphere is very focused and quiet. We shot these sequences right at the beginning, which turned out to be very helpful, as everyone immediately knew afterwards exactly what was being discussed.
You’re quite uninhibited in front of the camera. Is a bit of exhibitionism just part of the job?
I’m not the type in private to force that sort of thing. But, in that moment, it’s not me. I don’t think about myself for even a minute. Plus, with Daniela Knapp, we had a fantastic director of photography, who managed to tread that very fine line in the rape scenes without ever becoming voyeuristic. If the genitals are briefly seen, it doesn’t throw you off. Unlike in some other films, viewers never get the sense it’s too much.
At times you’re reminded of ‘Funny Games’ by Michael Haneke. Did you feel the same?
I’ve heard that a few times. But the comparison with ‘Funny Games’ never actually occurred to me.
Do you take such a role home with you after filming?
No, even though in this case that might sound odd: I always enjoy acting, even if it’s roles like this. What matters to me is that you get to create something great. I’m not one of those who lock themselves away in their room and don’t want to be spoken to after filming. But every actor handles it in their own way. How you achieve the goal doesn’t matter in the end.
What’s the most important quality for your job?
Passion and burning for something. It’s always about the scene, there’s no place for vanity.
Not much room for vanity in Steven Spielberg’s ‘War Horse’. Your scene ended up on the cutting room floor – how does that feel?
It’s not a big drama at all. I can completely understand that Spielberg, in a film running too long, would cut the scenes with unknown German actors. What counts for me is the experience of having worked with such a great director – that alone was a wonderful experience.
Did you at least get the cut footage from Spielberg afterwards as a souvenir?
(Laughs) No, I didn’t get that footage. On films like these, you sign contracts that fill half a book and specify exactly what you can and can’t do. I suspect those scenes are probably locked away in a vault in a Hollywood high-security wing.
What did you learn from Spielberg?
Spielberg pays very close attention at work, he’s precise, and he has a superb sense of humour – sometimes cynical, but always good!
Do you have a career plan?
No, aside from not exactly aiming to do twenty comedies in a row. But most actors probably feel the same way. It’s the variety that makes this profession so exciting.
With ‘The Most Beautiful Couple’, what would be your advice to cinema-goers?
Look forward to a film that constantly changes its tone and pace. A very hard beginning. Then a love story. Then a thriller. And, at the end, again a very hard drama. Best not to go to the cinema alone – that way, you can have a good chat about it afterwards.
‘The Most Beautiful Couple’ opens in cinemas on 2 May.
Photo: © One Two Films