Michael Fitz: “I’ve decided to take a break for this spring”

Michael Fitz
“I’ve decided to take a break this spring”

For his role as Commissioner Hubert Mur in the “Die Toten von Salzburg” crime novels (since 2016), actor Michael Fitz (64) was awarded the “Coolest Commissioner” audience award by RTV magazine in 2021. “I was really happy about that,” says the Munich resident in an interview with the news agency spot on news.

“Schattenspiel” (June 14, 8:15 p.m., ZDF) is now the next film worth seeing in the Austrian crime series. For the first time an interesting historical case was woven in. Fitz tells more about this personally, and he also announces a musical break.

You have been shooting the crime series since 2016. What is your favorite place when you are in Salzburg?

Michael Fitz: I love being in the Capuchin monastery across from the castle. We shoot there regularly, the new film “Schattenspiel” was also made there. It’s a very nice place, in the middle of the city, and yet it’s very quiet up there. The three or four monks who still live in the monastery really have it in paradise. You have a lot of space – but also a lot of work.

Would a break in a monastery, maybe even a silent monastery, be an option for you?

Fitz: I would certainly be interested in a break in a monastery, but I wouldn’t do that in Salzburg, but somewhere else in the world. Staying silent for a long time, on the other hand, would be very difficult for me. It would be an exciting idea, but ultimately it’s about finding yourself. And I’m quite good at being alone with myself.

Digital detox is also a way to focus on yourself. Would that be something for you?

Fitz: Definitely. I even think that you should do digital detox regularly in these times. At best once a week, because it’s just scary the flood of information that overwhelms us on all channels. Leaving all the relevant devices off one day a week is good. I can only recommend that to everyone.

Melange, Kapuziner, Brauner – not to be confused with the Einspänner. In the Salzburg thriller “Schattenspiel” one of the running gags is the Austrian coffee multiplication table. Can you do that now?

Fitz: No. I am and will remain a stranger there. I am influenced by the Italian coffee basics. But they understand that quite well in Salzburg. If I order an espresso or cappuccino, I get that too.

In terms of content, an interesting historical case is woven into “Die Toten von Salzburg: Schattenspiel”. What do you make of it?

Fitz: We did that for the first time. When I read the script I was really blown away because we don’t usually do flashbacks or anything like that. But this time, a whole story is told in flashbacks. I found that very exciting. However, I was also curious if it would work out. But I think it worked…

… yes, it has and the resolution at the end is even really touching. Without wanting to reveal too much, the film is about real and fake heroes. Can you think of a person who is a real hero of contemporary history for you?

Fitz: For me, the South African freedom fighter and later President of the country is still Nelson Mandela [1918-2013] a hero. Although it has now turned out that he is more of a tragic hero. Politically, he achieved incredible things, but he didn’t do so well when it came to the economic aspects. Unfortunately, you have to say that and that’s why the country is the way it is now. I’ve been there a couple of times, know it quite well and I have to say, for the black majority, not that much has changed there.

Her film wife also wants to take a break and offers Commissioner Mur various travel brochures, including one from Bali, Indonesia. Would that also appeal to you privately for a longer break?

Fitz: I’m open to everything, but Bali isn’t exactly my dream location. I like it where it’s warm. In Bali, however, it might be a bit too warm for me. In general, however, given the environmental situation, I would tend not to fly long-haul routes and actually not at all. These days I feel more like traveling by land.

They are actors and musicians. How are your concerts going? What can the fans look forward to?

Fitz: I’ve decided to take a break this spring because the development in the concert area is very difficult. Corona destroyed this industry and unfortunately you can’t help it get back on its feet now. Music isn’t my hobby, I’ve made a living from it over the past few years. And if I can no longer make a living from it because the organizers can no longer or do not want to, then it becomes difficult. Then there was the fact that many people are afraid of rising living costs and want to spend less money. It all has an effect on cabaret. I really like driving around and playing for people. I actually like that best of all, but it doesn’t make much sense at the moment.

But the time-out only refers to concert performances, doesn’t it?

Fitz: In autumn I will be on the road live with my current program “Da Mo”. I’m still making music in my studio at home and let’s see, maybe I’ll reinvent myself again this year. How this music will then appear is not yet clear. For years I was able to make a wonderful living from the sales of CDs at my concerts. But those times are over because nobody buys CDs anymore.

Conversely, for fans of your acting, does that mean you’ll be back in more movies and TV?

Fitz: I actually do a lot of reruns, it’s like 20 a month right now. But of course I wouldn’t mind playing more again and tackling some new projects.

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