The search for a place in life: What fascinated Iris Berben about the two-part "Altes Land", the actress explains in an interview.
With the film adaptation of the bestselling novel "Altes Land" (2015) by the writer Dörte Hansen (born 1964), ZDF will present a two-part series on Sunday (November 15) and Monday (November 16) at 8:15 pm. The lovingly and refreshingly unconventionally told life stories of several women from three generations take place on a farm in the picturesque Altes Land fruit-growing region south of Hamburg. It's about love, loyalty, incredible hardship, refugees and the search for a place in life.
A story about refugees and the search for a place in life
The fate of Vera, who ends up with her mother Hildegard von Kamcke (Birte Schnöink) as a post-war refugee from East Prussia in the Altes Land is at the center of the two-part film by director Sherry Hormann (60, "Just a Woman"). This Vera is played by three different actresses: as the child of Emilia Kowalski, as the younger wife of Maria Ehrich (27, "Ku'damm") and in the presence of Iris Berben (70, "Eddie the Eagle – Everything is possible") .
Iris Berben also confirms in an interview with the news agency spot on news that the two-parter is something special. "The film is about exclusion, belonging or staying a stranger. Refugees who came after the Second World War and who were not wanted to be taken in. It all has a lot to do with the present day," she explains. Of course, the three generations of women in their different worlds are also exciting.
In addition to Vera in three different ages, the film also shows other interesting female characters. "There is Vera, who defends her home even though she was denied it as a child. Then there is her mother Hildegard, who even accepts radical cuts after the terrible events of the war in order to be able to live her life. And then there is also the daughter Anne (Svenja Liesau) of Vera's sister Marlene (Nina Kunzendorf), who is also looking for herself and a place in life again. " The film describes that in a strong way, says Berben.
With dogs and horses on set
In some scenes, Iris Berben can be seen on horseback. She didn't have to learn to ride for the film, and she wasn't doubled either. "Yes, I ride, I used to shoot spaghetti westerns, and I like horses, but it's not a hobby," she explains. "I'm not a really good rider and have to work it out anew every time. Nevertheless, I think it's nice that I can and may still do it myself and that you don't have to double me."
The scenes with the dogs Vera lives with in the old farmhouse also didn't require much effort for Iris Berben. "I get along very well with dogs, I had a dog myself for 17 years. Shooting with them was no stranger to me. On the contrary," she says.
When asked about the stereotype of whether it is exhausting to shoot with animals and children, she answers with a wink. "It's exhausting. But you know that beforehand. The animals have to be trained. Horses are the easiest. Everyone on the set takes a lot of time for children and dogs – and sometimes I wish that they would do the same with actors did that, "laughs Berben.