Almost Exchanged at Infancy - Infant was nearly sold off.
German actor Christian Berkel nearly became another man's newborn in a hospital mix-up that transpired in 1957. Berkel revealed this intriguing revelation during an interview with BamS. After his birth, his father was given a baby, but he asserted it wasn't his child.
"I saw him after birth. This isn't him!" he allegedly told the midwife. Initially, she was bewildered but insisted it was the right baby. However, the father's insistence proved justified when two babies were found to have been exchanged. This almost life-altering incident has since become a family legend, with Berkel's mother suggesting he might have indeed been taken by mistake when she was displeased with him.
Berkel's unique story forms the basis for his upcoming novel, "Sputnik," whose release is imminent. The word "Sputnik," meaning "companion," perfectly encapsulates the baby given to Berkel's father by the midwife.
"Sputnik" is Berkel's third autofictional novel, following "Der Apfelbaum" (2018) and "Ada" (2020). Although the narrative is not strictly autobiographical, Berkel points out that around ten to twelve incidents in the book mirrored real-life events. The rest is fiction, but inspired by his own experiences.
Throughout his life, Berkel's journey has been intertwined with significant historical events. His Jewish mother, Sala Nohl, fled to France in 1938 to escape the Nazis, was imprisoned there, and eventually hid in Leipzig. Post-war, she emigrated to Argentina and returned to Germany in 1955. In the following two years, she reunited with her former flame, Otto Berkel, who had served as a medic in the Wehrmacht during the war. Christian Berkel was born in 1957 - almost under different circumstances.
Berkel left for Paris at the age of 14 and began acting at 19. He gained global recognition in films such as "Der Untergang," "Operation Walküre," and "Inglourious Basterds," featuring alongside Hollywood luminaries like Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. In "Elle," he shared the screen with French icon Isabelle Huppert. His literary debut was marked with the publication of his first novel in 2018.
In his personal life, Berkel has been with actress Andrea Sawatzki since 1998. They have two sons and tied the knot in 2011.
"I'm not going to be able to do this," Berkel might have thought as he contemplated sharing the incredible story about his birth mix-up in his upcoming book, "Sputnik," where he explores the life and 'companion' given to his father in the hospital.
Reminiscing about the attempt to exchange him, Berkel's mother hinted at the possibility that he was, in truth, the baby who was unintentionally taken, given her displeasure at his birth.
