Scene of the crime: Interview with director Viviane Andereggen

Tatort director Viviane Andereggen
"It's wonderful to be a woman!"

Viviane Andereggen made her breakthrough in Germany in 2017 with the film "Rufmord". She was able to count on this success with the movie "The Three !!!" continue to tie in. But one thing is particularly important to the Swiss-born woman: to finally represent women appropriately on TV. In her opinion, there is still a lot of catching up to do in German-speaking countries. And that's exactly why we need a strong personality like Viviane behind the scenes in the film industry.

"Either she's a lover or she's going to be killed"

The female film roles are mostly quite simple-minded. "Clichés are often used," says Viviane. "The woman as a young lover, housewife or victim. It is not uncommon for her to be reduced to the outside. In general terms, she is either a lover or is killed." There are seldom demanding roles – sometimes women don't even have a text. "In my opinion, that's not the case at all."

Even conversations between two women are often only about men. "As if we had no other topic!" Viviane sees it as her task to contribute something to society and to present a more adequate image. "It is important that all 360 degrees are mapped: as a housewife, but also as a mother and also as a business woman. Simply as everything that we are – just like in reality."

Viviane doesn't want anyone to be determined by society's expectations. With her films she wants to normalize women in management positions, among other things. "It's wonderful to be a woman! Why shouldn't we be proud of it and conquer even more space?"

Not an easy task

The representation of femininity has been in male hands for hundreds of years. The one-sided perspective has shaped the ideal image of women. Even today women are underrepresented in the entire professional field. "Female directors have always been a rarity. Many classic dramas are written from a male perspective. That is how it was in film for years. Otherwise the view of women would be very different."

Most of the time, the director succeeds in bringing in an emancipated image of women. Nevertheless, some situations are controversial: "There are often two different standards. A scene in which two women argue is called bitchy. But women can just argue. The problem is that situations are always negative per se Men do not have to undergo the same judgment. "

Fortunately, Viviane herself has not yet had any experience with direct sexism. She says: "Some actresses have seen worse things. But I also find it sexist if you ask me if I can shoot 44 days at all. Would that question be asked of a man too? I think not. Why shouldn't I do my job dominate?" You would like to educate and sensitize these people. "For many it's ignorance and naivete. I don't think such questions are meant to be hurtful."

"We are our own heroines!"

Viviane even gives us a little glimpse behind the scenes. A woman who needs to be saved by a man? Not with her. In the crime scene "Schoggilänke" one of the main characters in the club becomes intimate with a man. First they kiss on the dance floor, then he pleases her. After her orgasm, she lets him sit alone. "The script was originally written so that the actress had to be saved by a friend. So I thought: Are you kidding me? She enjoys sex and gets what she needs. The men just want to be the heroes. But we don't need heroes. We are our own heroines! " We can only agree and are excited about the crime scene!

"Tatort-Zürich" can be seen on February 28, 2021 on ARD or can be streamed free of charge in the media library.