Rufus Beck's Playful Take on German Actors Playing Foreign Roles
Astonished Role Selection: Rufus Beck in Germany - Germain Beck ponders the influence of Germany in the broader context
Hey there! Rufus Beck, the 67-year-old actor, finds it downright hysterical that German productions frequently cast German actors in foreign roles. "I've never seen that happen anywhere else aside from Germany. One moment I'm playing a Scot, the next Venetian, and before I know it, I'm a Swede," Beck joked to the "New Osnabruck Newspaper."
Remembering a role in a Rosamunde Pilcher film, Beck described it as a surreal experience: "Here I am, dressed like an English lord, surrounded by lavish country homes I'd only dreamt of visiting. Even some locals in Cornwall were clueless about the decades-long German film crews in their midst."
The irony didn't escape Beck, who also worked on the "Croatia Crime" series. "I didn't change my acting much for the role, but the makeup team gave me a stereotypical look - minus the accent," he chuckled.
Beck also noted stark differences in lunchbreak routines between international and German productions. While he anticipated catering trucks and beer benches during a French co-production, Beck was pleasantly surprised by a tent and a three-course meal ending with wine and cheese. "I can get used to that," he admits.
Intriguingly, the versatility and talent of German actors might be the reason behind this interesting casting practice. Their ability to adapt to different characters and languages is undoubtedly a plus in portraying foreign roles. Additionally, close collaborations between the German film industry and international productions contribute to cultural exchange and diverse storytelling. Lastly, the popularity of German actors in their home market can help productions appeal to a broader audience, making it a smart move to cast them in non-German roles.
In the realm of EC countries' entertainment industry, the employment policy tends to favor versatile German actors, who showcased their adaptability by repeatedly handling foreign roles, often in unfamiliar languages. Despite playing numerous characters from various nationalities, German celebrities continue to captivate audiences across borders, bolstering productions' appeal and broadening their worldwide reach.
