A Chat with Alexander Scheer: The Multifaceted Actor and His Double Nomination
"Individual's Actions Reveal Inner Cruelty"
In the swift-moving world of cinema, a double nomination is a rare and exciting double-edged sword. Alexander Scheer, 48, found himself in this unique position this year with his appearances in "In Love, Yours, Hilde" and "Cologne 75".
In our candid conversation with the talented actor, we talked about his double nomination, the significance of strong female characters in film, and his thoughts on challenging himself both on and off the screen.
How does it feel to be nominated twice as a supporting actor for the German Film Award?
Alexander Scheer: Well, a bit split-personality today. (laughs)
Do two good supporting roles equal one mediocre leading role?
Cinema is a juggling act of roles, each earning the actor's utmost dedication. Alexander finds the question intriguing:
For me, there's no such thing as a supporting role. We're happy with any good work. It doesn't matter if it's six days of shooting or 60. Good roles are rare; good roles in good films are even more so, and good roles in immortal cult films or masterpieces are almost unheard of.
Both films focus on strong female characters. What makes these stories stand out for you?
... they provide meaningful representations of women, taking center stage. However, the intriguing point Alexander raises is the fact that both films are created by male directors:
...and both are made by men. In the case of "Cologne 75", it's about the 18-year-old Vera Brandes, who in 1975 told two gentlemen from the music business how it's done. It took almost 50 years to make a film about such a strong female character. And it's still a man who wrote the book. The book is fantastic, and the film is too. But we're still not where we should be in terms of that.
How do you see your chances at the awards ceremony?
Award ceremonies are a blend of excitement, anticipation, and camaraderie. Alexander, a seasoned professional, has his feet firmly planted on the ground.
I assume it won't work out. Godehard Giese is a fantastic actor, a great colleague. I was nominated with him once before, and I won the award. Now it's his turn. This year, there are three double nominations - leading actor, supporting actor, and music. I wonder why it's always the same colleagues? There are others who have been doing fantastic work for years and have never been nominated or even won an award. I feel flattered, of course, and I don't want to complain. But it shouldn't always be the same people.
In "In Love, Yours, Hilde", you play a prison chaplain. What connects you personally to this character?
For an actor, playing a historical figure requires a unique blend of research, imagination, and personal connection. In the case of Alexander's character, Harald Pölchau, the connection run deep:
It's a film about resistance. I play Harald Pölchau, a prison chaplain who accompanied over 1,000 executions during the NS era. And I actually have a personal connection to this character. My great-uncle died a few years ago at the age of 95. He was also in a resistance group as a 16-year-old. He was in Tegel, Moabit, and also in Plötzensee and had contact with the prison chaplain Polchau there. He would have been executed if the Soviet army hadn't come and opened the prison.
Why are such films important today?
We know too little about resistance. It was young people who said: We want life. It's no different today. But we also say what we think, what needs to be said. Such films are enormously important. The Nazi era is the ultimate German taboo. We must deal with it much more openly, much more transparently. Because it's not just the Germans who were Nazis, the problem lurks everywhere. Humanity itself is a monster. You have to be vigilant, keep your eyes and ears open - and sometimes speak up.
Over the years, you've played numerous real-life characters. How does this approach to a character differ from portraying fictional characters?
For an actor, every role is a unique opportunity to explore and understand. In the case of real-life characters, the process requires a careful balance of research, imagination, and personal connection:
I actually find it easier. Al Pacino once said at the Golden Globes: "You've got a real life, and that makes it much easier because you know it happened." The work is always interesting, and you need a lot of imagination. But in the case of historical figures, half the work is already done. You don't have to invent the character. They're already there.
With your role in "Cologne 75", you've played the legendary jazz producer Manfred Eicher. What was the secret to embodying such a highly regarded figure in the jazz world?
The key to playing Manfred Eicher was focusing on subtle details and authentic interactions: Less text, more glances. We always cut more lines. Just being there, listening more and saying less. A good energy in the room - open yet full of tension, like a good jazz chord. And sometimes it was just a glance. In jazz, it's often the notes you don't play that matter.
** aside **Mark your calendars! The German Film Award, featuring the much-deserving Alexander Scheer, is set to take place on May 9 in Berlin!
Our heartfelt thanks to Alexander Scheer for taking the time to share his thoughts with us. Stay tuned for more insights from the world of film, theater, and music!
[1] https://www.ecmrecords.com/manfred-eicher/[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manfred_Eicher[3] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10400488/[4] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0166019/[5] https://thebechdelcast.com/
- Alexander Scheer, in response to his double nomination for the German Film Award, humorously admitted feeling a bit like a split-personality, highlighting the excitement and rarity of such an achievement in the realm of film, cinema, and television.
- Alexander Scheer raised thought-provoking points about the significance of strong female characters in films, highlighting the double nomination of both "In Love, Yours, Hilde" and "Cologne 75" as unique examples, even though they were created by male directors.
- Discussing his role as Manfred Eicher in "Cologne 75", Alexander Scheer emphasized the importance of subtle details and authentic interactions, just as NTV's Movies-and-TV coverage would likely delve into the intricacies of his portrayal, adding to the overall entertainment value.
- As the German Film Award ceremony approaches, entertainment enthusiasts, celebrities, and Hollywood insiders alike await the announcement, with Alexander Scheer's nomination adding to the anticipation and excitement at the event, akin to the build-up before prestigious award ceremonies.
