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Til Schweiger in Interview: “I’ve got more bruises than I can count.”
With his light-hearted comedies such as “Rabbit Without Ears,” “Kokowääh,” and others, Til Schweiger has drawn millions to the cinemas as director, writer, and lead actor. With his moving tragicomedy “Head Full of Honey,” he created one of the most successful German films ever. And as “Tatort” detective Nick Tschiller, Schweiger also brought in massive viewing figures. After four episodes, the series is now making the leap to the big screen, once again directed by Christian Alvart.
In this action spectacle, the detective must rescue his daughter from the clutches of human traffickers; his mission impossible leads him from Istanbul to Moscow. He is, as usual, supported by Fahri Yardim, who takes on the role of the comedic sidekick.
Mr. Schweiger, the famous “Tatort” opening sequence is missing from your film adaptation. You didn’t particularly like it the first time you played Tschiller…
Schweiger: It was never my goal to get rid of the “Tatort” opening sequence. At the time, I was spontaneously answering a hypothetical question about what could be changed in “Tatort,” and I said that I found the intro a bit old-fashioned and outdated nowadays. The media made a huge thing out of it – but to me, it simply isn’t.
The cinema-version of Tatort offers plenty of action, stunts, and international locations – is LKA officer Nick Tschiller following in James Bond’s footsteps?
Schweiger: “Tschiller: Off Duty” is, in any case, not just a TV Tatort that’s been quickly adapted for cinema. The intention was to make a spectacular action film made in Germany, one that can hold its own internationally. If viewers compare it to Bond, we’re happy to take that as a compliment. One mustn’t forget, though, that director Christian Alvart made this film for 8 million euros – and 007 gets a budget of 300 million.
How many bruises did you end up with during filming?
Schweiger: The really nasty action scenes, of course, are handled by the stuntmen. But I still ended up with more bruises than I can count – you simply can’t avoid that in a project like this.
Tschiller’s “Tatort” is well known for his partner Yalcin Gümer, played by Fahri Yardim, who serves as the comedic sidekick. Does a real-life friendship help that buddy chemistry work on screen?
Schweiger: It would probably work without friendship, but when you get on so well privately, it works even better. Fahri’s special quality is that he can be funny and quirky, yet is also convincing as a tough guy. Not many actors can pull off that combination – he really can be proud of that.
You can read our “Tschiller: Off Duty” film review here.
Do you let Fahri steal the show from you without complaining?
Schweiger: Fahri certainly isn’t trying to steal the show from me. We’re playing two very different types of characters who work so well together precisely because they complement each other. For a good film, all the actors need to be good. Allowing room for your colleagues is something that I find perfectly natural – and I’m sure I’m not alone in that.
After an ambitious project like “Head Full of Honey,” where you have to be careful to strike the right tone, does a foray into the action-thriller genre feel like a break?
Schweiger: You have to get the tone right in every film, even in action movies. That said, whenever I’m not also directing and producing, it almost always feels like a break for me. You put yourself in the hands of a director you trust. Then all you have to do is turn up fit for work, know your lines, and play the role convincingly.
Isn’t there a temptation to interfere by giving directing advice?
Schweiger: Of course you sometimes have ideas to suggest to the director. Sometimes they like them, but just as often they turn them down – and that just has to be accepted, because it’s not your own film, it’s the director’s vision.
How much creative influence do you have over the “Tatort” storylines?
Schweiger: Basically, my influence is limited to wanting Christian Alvart as director and choosing Fahri Yardim and Tim Wilde as my co-stars. Naturally, I make suggestions about the scripts, but I’m not the writer in this case. At the end of the day, our “Tatort” is always Christian Alvart’s film.
What’s next for you as Nick Tschiller?
Schweiger: Some time ago I signed up for four more “Tatort” episodes, but which stories and characters will be involved hasn’t yet been decided.
A few weeks ago, you announced a film project about refugees. How is that coming along?
Schweiger: We’re developing a script, and the first draft will be finished soon. Only once that’s ready will we see how and if it will work. You can’t just sit down and say: Right, let’s make a film about Alzheimer’s or about refugees – it’s not that simple. A good script is the hardest thing in the film business. Whether a script works, you never know beforehand; you just have to try. If the topic of refugees works as a screenplay, then we’ll make the film.