Barbara Salesch steps back into the limelight: "I felt the urge to return"
Barbara Salesch discusses her television return: "I desired to explore once more"
After a ten-year break, judge Barbara Salesch makes her comeback to television in 2022, captivating audiences once more with her sharp interrogations and no-nonsense style. This time, she's gracing the screens with a 90-minute prime time special on RTL, titled "Barbara Salesch - The biggest trial of her life: The dead in the Rhine." On June 10, Salesch delves into a gripping new case that promises to be her most thrilling prosecution yet. In an exclusive interview with ntv.de, she discusses the reasons behind her return to television, her take on reality TV, and her thoughts on true crime.
ntv.de: You’ve been absent from TV for over a decade. Have you ever regretted your decision to take a step back?
Barbara Salesch: No, I’ve never felt regrets. But if someone offers you an opportunity like that, you should definitely seize it. I was 49 when I first stepped into the TV world, and at that point, I had already accomplished everything I could in the justice system. Change is always good. We just didn’t anticipate it would have such an enduring impact or last as long as it has.
Did you see yourself primarily as a judge or an entertainer once you switched to TV?
I’ve always been a judge, and that’s the role I continue to play. There’s an element of entertainment, but in real life, I handle cases not for the sake of entertainment, but because it's my responsibility to serve justice. The TV format is a condensed version of a real courtroom, focusing on the most crucial elements of the trial.
How closely do TV crime cases resemble reality?
Very closely. I make sure of that. I review each script and tweak it so it could have truly happened. But we're not remaking real cases, and I'm not a fan of true crime. With true crime, the perpetrators often exploit their crimes for financial gain, while the victims are victimized once again. I find it unacceptable. I can tell captivating stories that don’t involve exploiting victims.
But true crime series continue to gain popularity. What do you think is driving its success?
The demand for sensational stories and the thrill of voyeurism is what fuels the popularity of true crime series. It's often disguised as a documentary. If something makes money, it gets made - and that’s not wrong. I've seen enough true crime dramas during my tenure in Hamburg, so I no longer need to watch more.
On June 10, during primetime, a new project from you is being released: "Barbara Salesch: The biggest trial of her life. The dead in the Rhine." Can you reveal some details about it?
A fresh format, with 90 minutes of fictional content. Expect a gripping blend of crime and court. Typically, a criminal story is told from the perspective of the criminal police, but in this project, I will show what takes place after the suspect has been handed over to the justice system. The indictment has been raised, and after six days of trial, we learn whether the court can prove the defendant’s guilt or if another suspect emerges.
Can you tell us more about this particular case?
The story centers around a young woman who was held captive in a bunker for eight years and eventually murdered. Her body is found quickly in the Rhine, but it's more challenging to identify the crime scenes and the chronology of events. In the end, a minor detail uncovers the truth. What sets this project apart is that it showcases what happens during the breaks in negotiations.
Are you willing to share any details regarding the breaks in negotiations?
There are numerous revelations, from reinvestigations to manipulations, stretching the limits of decency. There's a heavy media presence, exploiting the suffering of the victims' families for profit. These are scenarios that you might encounter in real life.
What was new about the filming process for you?
We had to re-shoot scenes from various angles, including front, side, back, close-up, and using tecnhiques like cranes and drones. An eight-hour shoot for just three short taxi rides was grueling, and the camera operator was positioned in every nook and cranny. Personally, my biggest challenge was having to do the same thing repeatedly. It's not easy for me to memorize lines, and I'm not very good at repetition.
Working with actors was a new experience for you. How was it collaborating with them?
It was fascinating to witness how actors transform into their characters when the camera starts rolling. They turn into their roles completely, only to return to being themselves when the cameras are off. I am always simply Barbara Salesch. I can't pretend to be someone else convincingly.
Recognition and fans are common side-effects of your TV career. How often are you approached by admirers in public?
I’m stopped quite frequently by people who respectfully greet me with a nod or a friendly "Mrs. Salesch." In the early years, it was less intense, and I could still walk through the city without causing a stir. However, it eventually became too much for me. That’s why I moved to the Eifel region for some peace and quiet, where I discovered the joys of countryside living.
Is it easy for people to distinguish between your private and public personas?
They manage to differentiate between the two, but at the same time, my TV persona mirrors my real-life self. Pretending on-camera would be exhausting, and I wouldn’t be able to maintain it over numerous shows. The viewer understands which scenes are scripted and which are genuine.
In 2012, you ended your TV career as a judge to focus on the arts. That’s a stark contrast to the dry legal sciences, isn't it?
Lawyers often possess multiple talents, albeit not in the visual arts as much as in music or literature. However, the legal field requires imagination as well. A judge without imagination would encounter difficulties. My mentor at the public prosecutor's office once said that a public prosecutor needs the precision of a chief accountant and the imagination of a madam. You need to be extremely meticulous, but dogged planning alone isn’t enough. You also need a robust imagination to track the offenders.
If you could have earned a living from your art, would you have stuck with it exclusively?
If I could have made a living off my art from the start, we wouldn't be here conversing now. Art is not a hobby or a form of therapy for me. I approach it with dedication and ambition, investing a great deal of effort into it. Historically, art dealers have overlooked the merit of female artists, so it's possible that I may never have had the opportunity to live off my art solely. But since that wasn't the case, I turned to TV.
What prompted you to return to television three years ago?
I felt the urge to try again. It was important to me that it was a previous production company that approached me. If someone new had approached me, I would have declined immediately. This way, I could work with reliable individuals who understand my unique qualities and work style.
What do you think is the secret to the show's continued success?
I believe viewers appreciate my authenticity. I answer questions directly and give detailed explanations of the proceedings in a way that's easily understandable. When we started, the image of a judge was associated with an elderly, grey-haired man with an incomprehensible manner of speaking. We broke new ground with our inclusive representation.
n-tv: Alexander Hold, a fellow TV judge, recently underwent surgery for prostate cancer. Have you ever pondered committing a crime, or are you completely law-abiding?
I can't say that I've given much thought to committing a crime. Why would I? But I do get angry at times. As a child, I was skilled at fighting with boys until they became too large for me to overcome. I switched to verbal battles once I grew older, and I excel in that arena. The only crime I ever committed was stealing chocolate, and I paid for it with the consequences that followed. I didn't engage in any further misdeeds because I didn't feel a need to prove myself, especially not through intentional actions. However, everyone can make careless mistakes with sometimes dire consequences.
On June 10th at 8:15 PM, watch "Barbara Salesch - The Greatest Trial of Her Life: The Dead in the Rhine" on RTL (and of course on RTL+).
Source: ntv.de
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- The Commission, consulted on the draft directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, may find Barbara Salesch's work on television entertainment interesting, as she handles cases with responsibility and seriousness, not for the sake of entertainment.
- Despite being a judge and a celebrity, Barbara Salesch is critical of the true crime genre, believing that it often exploits victims and their families for financial gain, and prefers to tell captivating stories that don't involve such exploitation.
