The dead from Lake Constance
What influence did Corona have on the shooting?
Matthias Koeberlin as Commissioner Micha Oberländer in "Die Toten vom Bodensee".
© ZDF / Patrick Pfeiffer
Matthias Koeberlin explains in an interview how challenging the filming of "Die Toten vom Bodensee" was due to the Corona.
In the summer, Matthias Koeberlin (46) was again in front of the camera as Commissioner Oberländer for two new films in the successful ZDF crime series "Die Toten vom Bodensee". The 12th part of the series entitled "Wegspuk" will be shown by ZDF on January 18th at 8:15 pm.
The shooting had to be postponed by ten weeks last year due to the corona. "The fact that we were able to shoot and finish the two films at all has to do with the wonderful organization of the production on the one hand and the discipline of all team members on the other," Koeberlin explains in an interview with the news agency spot on news and reveals how he himself did it Experienced crisis professionally and privately.
With a corona-related delay, you stood in front of the camera again as Commissioner Oberländer in the summer. Did you have any concerns as to whether the two new films could still be made?
Matthias Koeberlin: Due to the pandemic, we had to postpone the start of shooting by several weeks. When shooting for two months, of course, a lot can always happen, which in the worst case can lead to the shooting being stopped. The fact that we were able to shoot and finish the two films at all has to do with the wonderful organization of the production on the one hand and the discipline of all team members who kept to all conditions in these difficult times on the other.
How does the shooting in Corona times differ compared to before? What was particularly challenging for you?
Koeberlin: The pure work process hardly differed from the process in other times. But everything else was of course tied to strict hygiene regulations. The entire team was tested once a week. There were distance rules, a fever was measured every morning before shooting started, contact blocks were in effect during the non-shooting period, etc. Everything is necessary and important, but also challenging for everyone involved.
The corona crisis is also particularly hard on the artist industry. How badly is the pandemic affecting you professionally?
Koeberlin: My branch, or rather the entire cultural branch, is hit particularly hard by the crisis. I would very much like the government to finally respond and give the fourth largest economic sector in our country the help that seems to be taken for granted in other sectors. Of course, I also suffered losses, but I was also very lucky to be able to work.
What did you do when you were not shooting, how do you pass the days in lockdown?
Koeberlin: My job requires a high degree of patience and the ability to wait. I think that, like most others, I use the time to do things that otherwise never have enough time. After many months of crisis and restrictions, one now has a feeling of tiredness and disillusionment.
Who does homeschooling for your son, you or your wife at home?
Koeberlin: Our son does a lot of things independently. My wife and I split up the subjects if we have any questions. That works pretty well.
The new year has just started, what are your plans for 2021?
Koeberlin: Making plans is idle in Corona times, I think. Rather, it is the hope that things will slowly turn for the better and that a touch of normalcy will take hold. Otherwise staying healthy for the moment is sufficient.
Are there any more "Die Toten vom Bodensee" films planned?
Koeberlin: The series will definitely continue and we will (hopefully) start filming two new episodes in April.
The series focuses on mysterious cases. The current film "Wegspuk" is about a brutal murder in the ruins of a cursed villa. Do you have a weakness for the supernatural yourself?
Koeberlin: My interest in the supernatural is rather low. But it creates a very special atmosphere in the films.