“Tatort” star Ferdinand Hofer
“Gaming was never my priority”
“Tatort: Game Over”: For almost ten years, Ferdinand Hofer (right) has been seen as assistant and commissioner Kalli Hammermann in the Munich “crime scene”.
© BR/Bavaria Fiction GmbH/Claudia Milutinov
“Tatort: Game Over” takes place in the gamer scene. In an interview, he reveals the role played in the life of actor Ferdinand Hofer.
Ferdinand Hofer (30, Eberhofer crime stories) has been playing inspector Kalli Hammermann in the Munich “crime scene” since 2014, the assistants to the almost longest-serving (since 1991) Sunday crime investigators Ivo Batic (Miroslav Nemec, 68) and Franz Leitmayr (Udo Wachtveitl, 64). In the next episode “Tatort: Game Over” (May 21, 8:15 p.m., the first) the gamer scene will be investigated. In an interview with spot on news, the Bavarian fan favorite talks about his own experiences in the field of computer games. When asked, he also reveals how he could imagine his future in the Munich commissariat after the end of Batic-Leitmayr – hopefully still in the distant future.
How much are you personally interested in games?
Ferdinand Hofer: In fact, not at all (anymore). Gambling used to be an issue, but it was never a priority for me. In my circle of friends, I’m definitely the worst gambler. I wasn’t allowed to play in my flat share at the time because it wasn’t fun with me at all. I was and am just way too bad. It’s like playing tennis against a much worse opponent. It’s no fun for either of them.
The “crime scene” is about Counterstrike. What is or was your favorite game?
Hofer: When I played, it was mostly “Fifa” or sometimes “Call of Duty”. With “Fifa” it was always the least noticeable how bad you really are.
Did you know that there are events like those shown in the thriller?
Hofer: Yes, of course I know that there is an incredibly large gaming scene. You can see that from YouTube and the gaming videos alone. But I myself have never been to a professional e-sports event. But when I was at school, I went to one or the other LAN party.
Did the shooting take place at a real tournament?
Hofer: Yes. So for the main shooting with us actors and actresses, a tournament was recreated. But actually a so-called second unit shot at a real tournament. The footage was also used in the film and kerned with the footage we shot. It looks like everyone was at the real tournament.
Incidentally, the horrendous rents for Munich apartments are mentioned again in the thriller. The one in the film costs 2,600 euros cold. How do you live?
Hofer: I live in an apartment in Munich and mine isn’t that expensive either. But I’m also not a successful e-athlete (laughs).
Reading glasses gags and more show in the film that the Munich inspectors make no secret of their aging. Maybe Batic and Leitmayr will stop at some point… What’s next for Kalli?
Hofer: That is of course an exciting question. There are many opportunities in the life of a detective inspector, but of course Kalli is already speculating on finally being able to drive the company car himself.