Actress Uschi Glas plays a woman suffering from dementia in her new film. A topic that she says is “very interesting” to her.
Actress Uschi Glas (79) wants to use her new film “Inga Lindström: Just Love” (October 1st, 8:15 p.m., ZDF) to make people think about the topic of dementia, which “sooner or later, directly or indirectly, affects most people regards”. In an interview with spot on news, however, she also admits that she herself is putting off dealing with it. The Bavarian film star also gives tips for memory training and reveals whether the swimsuit scene in the film was unpleasant.
You are starring in the 100th “Inga Lindström” film, and the “Rosamunde Pilcher” series is celebrating its 30th anniversary this day. Do you enjoy watching these Sunday evening films in private?
Uschi Glas: My husband and I are generally not big TV watchers. When we watch TV, it’s usually sports. So I wouldn’t stay at home specifically because of that. But when I’m at home and colleagues I know and like are playing, then I really enjoy watching “Inga Lindström” and “Rosamunde Pilcher” films. Apart from that, I think it’s right and important not to just broadcast crime shows every evening.
Both series are extremely successful. Why do you think that is?
Glass: Beautiful pictures, a romantic story that both makes you laugh and is touching – that’s a good recipe for success and that’s actually the point of a film, a story, a play, to take someone on a journey through the world Fantasy.
You star in “Inga Lindström: Just Love”. Why did you want to be a part of this film?
Glas: On the one hand, the production said: “For the 100th, it’s high time for you to join us.” Of course I was honored by that. Nevertheless, I have to like a film and there has to be something to tell in order for me to accept it. That was the case with this film with the theme of dementia.
You play Anna, who has to deal with her emerging dementia. Since the diagnosis, she has wanted to separate from her husband Henrik (Leonard Lansink, 67), but he doesn’t want that. What did you think when you read the script?
Glas: I was very interested in this topic because when I first read the script I noticed that there was no right or wrong. Every opinion and position is somehow correct and understandable. Anna doesn’t want to be a burden; the idea of stealing her husband’s life makes her uncomfortable. I can understand that. But I also understand her husband saying: I want to be there for you. I still love you and I am here for you in good times and bad. I think that the film can make many people think about how they would act in their position. Sooner or later, the topic of dementia affects most people, directly or indirectly.
You play a woman who knows she is becoming demented. That’s a scary idea, isn’t it?
Glas: Yes, it’s a scary idea and certainly a terrible experience to suddenly realize that you no longer know your way around. I can hardly imagine not panicking. That’s why I understand that Anna is saying: As long as I can still decide for myself what I think is right and what is wrong, I want to make these decisions. She is right. Many things should be sorted out while you still can. Because at some point the time will be over. This is also the case with living wills. It’s best to decide for yourself. On the other hand, Anna excludes her partner. This can be helpful if you have a partner who doesn’t feel up to the challenge. But in this case it’s not like that. Anna’s husband Henrik wants to be with her. You should think about such topics and talk about them in good time.
Film husband Henrik doesn’t want to put Anna in a home. This is generally one of the hardest decisions you have to make in this context. Are you afraid of having to make a decision like that?
Glas: I honestly admit that I don’t think about it either. I feel fit and happy about life, but I should probably think about it. But I just can’t do it now. Unfortunately, I’m not a good role model. The fact that I’m doing so well can of course change in the next moment, I’m well aware of that. Maybe it’s just human nature to put these topics off. Nevertheless, I think it’s great that we talk about this big challenge in life in our film.
Memory is particularly valuable for actresses. Can you share a few training tips that anyone can do?
Glas: When I was very young, I asked a colleague on set who was over 90 years old how she did it. She said: “When I’m not filming, I memorize a small paragraph from the Süddeutsche Zeitung every day. That’s how I keep my memory sharp.” I thought that was a great idea. A completely different tip is exercise. If you move a lot, it’s very good for your brain. Of course also for the circulation, the muscles, the bones – but above all for the brain. I would advise that to everyone. You don’t have to aim for high mountains, just a little something and then actually see it through.
What is the best way to memorize a text?
Glas: When I start learning a text, it always goes through many repetitions. Suddenly he sits, then I have practically eaten the words and they just bubble out of me as if they were my own. This is actually always a great feeling of happiness. This has nothing to do with age, it’s always been that way for me. When I finally know a text – whether for a play or a film – then you can wake me up in the middle of the night and say: “Now we’re shooting scene 27” – and I can do that too. That’s a great feeling.
Her swimming scene in a swimsuit is also very impressive in the film. Was it uncomfortable for you to act relatively naked in front of a whole film crew?
Glass: No, not at all. The only thing that bothered me while filming was that it was getting later and cooler because it was already cold that day anyway. But then I just went into the water without cooling down too much. Close your eyes and go through – and it went surprisingly well. In general, this swimming scene is part of this film and I didn’t find it artificially inserted or even disturbing. In that respect it was fine for me. Of course it is also the case that I have already worked with director Marco Serafini and I like him very much and you can rely on him. The crew and makeup artist were great too. It was clear that no one was gossiping or anything. I felt comfortable.
Have you ever been to Sweden before? And how did you like filming?
Glas: This filming was my first time in Sweden. And it was impressive to see such a flat land with all this greenery and all this water. Sweden is really beautiful. Nevertheless, I am a child of the mountains. I grew up in Bavaria. I love Tyrol, I love my mountains. I could live in Sweden, but I would miss my mountains. By that I don’t mean these deep, narrow gorges and the high mountains, that’s more scary to me. But I really love what we have in Bavaria or Tyrol, where the valleys are wide and the sun is shining.
In the film, a midsummer festival is celebrated. How did you like that?
Glass: I really liked that. It was actually midsummer when we filmed. And that’s when I first realized that this is really a very important family celebration in Sweden. There is dancing and singing. It’s really something special and I was very happy that I was able to experience it.
What can your fans look forward to next?
Glas: We have just finished filming the family film “Max and the Wild 7”. We shot the first part (2020) before Corona, the second part now. Günther Maria Halmer [80] Thomas Thieme plays the crazy Professor Kilian von Hohenburg [74] the former coach Horst Dobberkau. And I am a formerly very famous actress who is offended when she is not recognized immediately. We live in the Burg Geroldseck retirement home. And together with little Max, the son of a nurse, we solve criminal cases. Well-known children’s books serve as templates and are now being made into films little by little. It’s a fabulous team and really a very nice project.
Her role sounds a bit self-ironic again, reminiscent of “Fack ju Göhte” (2013, 2015, 2017). Are you generally open to roles like this?
Glas: That’s right, I actually really enjoyed my Ingrid Leimbach-Knorr from the “Fack ju Göhte” films. For roles like this you need a pound of humor – but thank God I have that too.