Duo at graveyard muses: "Humor requires effort"
Laughing Among the Graveyard Shifts:
Georg Kreisler's witty sarcasm echoes in the premise of "Drunter and Drüber," a comedy series that playfully unfolds in the heart of Vienna. Apparently, the lively Vienna setting was not the original intention, as revealed by the main actor, Nicholas Ofczarek.
In an interview, Ofczarek shared that the script for "Drunter and Drüber," penned by Judith Westermann, initially didn't have a clear Vienna backdrop. His character, Heli Wondratschek, was also initially conceived under a different name. However, to add a "bit more Viennese" flavor, the creators collaborated with Ofczarek and the production team.
Wondratschek, now a comical archetype, hardly mourns the death of the cemetery director. Instead, he swiftly takes over the petty vice. The arrival of Ursula Fink, portrayed by Julia Jentsch, complicates matters. Fink, who used to be in charge of playgrounds, is abruptly appointed above Wondratschek - an affront that irks the latter.
While Fink's ambition to gain her position can be seen as a survival instinct, Jentsch describes her as socially binding, in stark contrast to Wondratschek's social incompatibility. This conflict, according to Ofczarek, makes for an excellent narrative as leaders often find themselves in difficult, unpleasant decision-making positions.
Jentsch finds it endearing that despite their inability to adapt quickly, both characters strive to learn new competencies. Fink's struggle is announced to the staff that the cemetery is threatened with closure due to financial reasons, a revelation that leaves Wondratschek dumbfounded.
When asked about his 'Ice Face' expression, Ofczarek explains that it was a conscious stylistic choice, allowing the audience to project their own emotions onto him. Jentsch, however, found it less pivotal for her portrayal but appreciated getting a glimpse into Ofczarek's bland demeanor.
Laughing Through the Drama:
Ofczarek remarks that comedy is often played like a drama, as humor springs from boundary-crossing moments, which must be acted out seriously. For Jentsch, the experience of working on "Drunter und Drüber" offered a refreshing change of pace, particularly when they shot at the Hernals cemetery and even crashed Wondratschek's golf cart.
Despite the grim setting, Ofczarek shares that it became familiar territory, an absurd workplace that one learns to accept, even if it's a bit unsettling. This odd profession, he muses, teaches its practitioners to get used to anything.
References:1. The Spiegel2. Heute Show3. Der Standard
- The comedic series "Drunter und Drüber," set in Vienna, was initially not intended to have a clear Viennese backdrop, according to Nicholas Ofczarek.
- Heli Wondratschek, played by Ofczarek, gains a comical archetype status in the series, taking over the position of the dead cemetery director.
- Julia Jentsch, who plays Ursula Fink in the series, finds herself in a contrasting position to Wondratschek, possessing social binding qualities rather than social incompatibility.
- Both characters, Wondratschek and Fink, demonstrate a desire to learn new competencies, despite being in an absurd workplace environment that threatens to close the cemetery.
