BeBack, Judge Barbara: "I thought, let's take another shot at it"
Barbara Salesch discusses her return to television: "I yearned for the experience again"
Over two decades ago, Barbara Salesch, the infamous German judge, first graced our television screens, skyrocketing her to prominence as the nation's most renowned judge. After a decade-long break, the now 75-year-old made her triumphant return to the small screen in 2022. On June 10, RTL will air a 90-minute special featuring Salesch, titled "Barbara Salesch - The greatest trial of her life: The dead in the Rhine." In an exclusive interview with ntv.de, Salesch discusses her reasons for stepping away from the limelight, her artistic passions, and her thoughts on the true-crime genre.
ntv.de: So, you've been off the screen for ten long years. Have you ever regretted your absence?
Barbara Salesch: Absolutely not. If an opportunity to do something like that comes your way, you should go for it. I was 49 when I started, and I'd already achieved everything I could in the justice system. I needed something fresh, and we didn't expect it to be such a hit or last this long.
So, did you see yourself more as a judge or an entertainer after the switch to television?
Entertainer, no. I was a judge and remained true to myself. I've always had some entertainment value. But in real life, things are much more drawn out, and you're not there for the audience's entertainment. It's about justice, not entertainment.
How closely do the criminal cases depicted on TV resemble reality?
They're extremely close. I ensure that they are. I review scripts and make sure they could have actually occurred as depicted. However, it's important to note that we're not reenacting real cases; we're telling fictional stories. Real-life situations can obviously be influenced by a number of factors not accounted for in the story.
The true-crime genre has been a massive success for years. What do you think is the reason for that?
It's simple – people love excitement and voyeurism. They're sold this sense of authenticity, under the guise of it being a documentary. Anything that making money is done. I don't necessarily have a problem with that, but I do have an issue with giving perpetrators a platform to market their crimes. The victims deserve better.
** So, what can we anticipate from this new 90-minute special?**
This production is different from other crime dramas. It's a blend of court and crime, as we usually only hear about a criminal story from the perspective of the investigators. Here, we'll follow the case from the defendant's handover to the public prosecutor's office and through the trial itself. The trial has been initiated, and we'll learn, over six days, whether the court can prove the guilt of the accused or if another individual may be the culprit.
Spoilers, perhaps? Can you tell us a bit about the plot?
A young woman has been held captive in a bunker for eight years and eventually meets her end in the Rhine. Finding her body in the river is relatively straightforward, but determining the crime scenes and the sequence of events proves to be more challenging. A small detail eventually reveals the truth. One interesting aspect of this new format is that we can show what happens during the negotiations' breaks.
Can you divulge anything about the negotiations?
Yes, there's plenty – from reinvestigations to manipulations of the most despicable kind. There's an immense media response, with many exploiting the grief of the victims' families and using the victims as marketing tools. Such tactics are sadly all too common in the real world.
What was an unexpected aspect of filming this movie?
For example, we had to capture every shot multiple times – from a variety of angles, distances, and using different camera equipment. It could take hours to shoot even the shortest taxi rides. Personally, the most challenging part for me was the repetition. I'm not great at memorizing lines, and it's stressful for me to repeat the same thing over and over.
You collaborate with real actors for this production. How was your experience working with them?
It was fantastic. It's fascinating to observe the transformation they undergo once the camera is rolling, becoming one with their character. I, on the other hand, remain Barbara Salesch throughout – the only role I can convincingly play.
Have you been recognized often on the streets since your first television appearance?
Yes, very often. People are generally polite and respectful when they approach me. It takes time to get used to the attention, but it's become part of my daily life.
Do people distinguish between Barbara Salesch the private individual and Barbara Salesch the TV personality?
Definitely, but there's a fine line. I'm the same person on TV as I am in real life. I don't know if I could pretend to be someone else for all the various shows that I've been involved with. The audience is aware of what's acted and what's authentic, so I couldn't maintain the façade for long.
You took a break from television to venture into the arts. Isn't the world of visual arts quite different from the dry legal sciences?
Lawyers often have multiple talents, even if not as common in the visual arts as mine. Music and literature are more prevalent. To excel as a lawyer, you need imagination. A judge without imagination would struggle. My mentor at the public prosecutor's office always said, "As a prosecutor, you need the precision of a chief accountant and the imagination of a courtesan." Being meticulous is crucial, yet it's not enough. You also require a great imagination to keep pace with the criminals. My need for creativity extends to my artistic works as well – I've been drawing and painting since before my law studies, and I've always had a studio on the side.
If you could have lived off your art, would you have continued in that field exclusively?
If I could have made a living through my art, perhaps we wouldn't have met on TV. Why would I? Art isn't simply a hobby or occupational therapy for me; it's serious work and quite demanding. It's a blend of both passion and profession for me, and it requires dedication.
Barbara Salesch spoke with Mariana Jang.
Tune in to RTL on June 10th at 8:15 PM for the prime time release of "Barbara Salesch - The Biggest Trial of Her Life: The Dead in the Rhine" (streaming also available on RTLplus).
Keywords: RTL, RTLplus, Justice, Trials, Reality TV, TV
Enrichment Data:
The 90-minute film titled "Barbara Salesch - Der grösste Prozess ihres Lebens: Die Tote im Rhein" is a prime-time comeback for Barbara Salesch, the infamous German TV judge. The production is described as an intriguing blend of a court case and a thrilling murder mystery, where a typical crime story unfolds from the perspective of the investigating officers, culminating in the courtroom[1].
The plot revolves around a complex crime scenario likely involving a murder or significant incident connected to the Rhine River, central to the title[1]. Throughout the story, audiences can expect to see various manipulations, reinvestigations, and distressing realities that can also occur in the real world, as well as attempts to capitalize on victims' grief by the media[2]. This film holds great potential to engage viewers with its blend of suspense, courtroom drama, and Barbara Salesch's signature style.
Source: ntv.de
[1] ntv.de/kultur/Barbara-Salesch-42845913.html[2] ntv.de/kultur/Barbara-Salesch-42845913.html
- Community action is essential in addressing the exploitation of victims' grief by the media, as seen in Barbara Salesch's concern for the victims' dignity during the "Barbara Salesch - The Greatest Trial of Her Life: The Dead in the Rhine."
- Celebrities like Barbara Salesch often find themselves in a unique position, where they must balance their public image with their private lives, as demonstrated by her dual role as a judge and an entertainer, and her endeavors in the visual arts during her decade-long break from television.
