West Berliner and "Tatort" star Meret Becker will never forget a scene from the time of the fall – and has a tip for Berlin tourists.
The new Berlin "Tatort: A few words after midnight" (October 4th, 8:15 pm, the first) will be broadcast on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of German unification. Actress Meret Becker (51, "Babylon Berlin"), who will continue to determine Commissioner Nina Rubin until 2022, is from West Berlin. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, she talks about the role that events 30 years ago played in her own life.
The award-winning offspring of a successful family of artists also explains what it's like to be in front of the camera with a family member. In this case, her father, actor Rolf Becker (85), plays the 90-year-old jubilarian, with whose birthday party the new "crime scene" case gets rolling.
The thriller will be broadcast on the 30th anniversary of German reunification. How much do you think the once divided Germany has grown together in the meantime? In which areas in particular and where is there still room for improvement?
Meret Becker: I have the feeling that you want to erase the differences, then you would have reached your goal, so to speak. But I believe that you shouldn't rob anyone of their story and that these differences are gifts. The rights must be the same. And there is still something going on, whether from west to east, from male to female, from white to black, from top to bottom and so on.
What role did the events 30 years ago play in your own life? How much were you interested in it back then?
Becker: I am a West Berliner. The fall of the wall changed everything. My part of the city no longer exists in the form of my childhood and youth. When the wall came down it was like a big adventure playground. Now Berlin is pretty much sold out. Capitalism has gotten more brutal over the years.
What will you never forget from back then?
Becker: I'll never forget when a neighbor of the "Scheinbar" – a small vaudeville theater in Schöneberg – stepped on stage after the show and announced that the wall had just come down and the first couple had just crossed one with the Trabbi Bridge came and would have been greeted with champagne. We told him to come off the stage now, the show was over, after work! And he begged us to believe him and turn on the radio, which we did. The rest is history.
Do you have a souvenir from that time?
Becker: I actually got a little corner of the flag that was flying over the Brandenburg Gate at the time.
A memorial plaque plays a role in crime thriller that can easily be overlooked in everyday life in Berlin. Do they really exist? If so, did you know her?
Becker: The memorial plaque actually exists and I didn't know it. It stands a little lost on the traffic island. But at least, it was originally supposed to be set up somewhere in the forest, far away from the scene.
Do you know other, less known, but important places of remembrance?
Becker: I love stumbling blocks, the golden cobblestones on which the names of the deported people from the respective house are written. I find that very personal and very touching. And in the Bavarian Quarter in Berlin there are signs on the lanterns with quite naive pictures painted on them, for example a loaf of bread. And then on the other side it says: "Jews in Berlin are only allowed to buy groceries in the afternoons from 4 to 5 o'clock, 4 July 1940". That is very simple and impressive.
Meret Becker and Rolf Becker in a film. How often did that happen? What does the collaboration mean to you?
Becker: That can happen in my family. I have already played with Rolf in "Heinrich der Säger", with my father Otto (Sander, 1941-2013) and with my mother (Monika Hansen, born 1943) in film and in the theater and with my brother Ben (Becker, 55) I was even lovers in "Comedian Harmonists". We laughed a lot!
How were the few common scenes? Is it easier or more difficult for you to play with your own father than with other colleagues?
Becker: In this "crime scene", Rolf and I didn't really play together. When you see the film you know what I mean. But I was very happy that Lena Knauss (director) cast him and it was nice to see him.
The "Tatort" deals, among other things, with estranged family members who don't know much about each other. In your opinion, what is important in order to remain in real exchange with children, parents and siblings?
Becker: In France, people eat very generously together twice a day. Everything important is discussed in peace. I highly recommend that. Good for the family and good for your health.
Unfortunately, you leave the "crime scene" in a few episodes. Corinna Harfouch will be your successor. What do you make of it? What do you want her?
Becker: Corinna is a sensational actress. Above all, I wish her that she gets along well with Mark (Waschke). Working as a team is the most important thing. Otherwise it's no fun.