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As of: November 27, 2024 5:00 a.m
Burghart Klaußner became internationally known not least through his role in the Oscar-nominated film The white band by Michael Haneke and yet the actor is not drawn to the “glitter world”.
Growing up in Berlin as a child in a family of restaurateurs, Burghart Klaußner came to Hamburg in the mid-80s and has felt at home here ever since. For the actor, the Hanseatic city is a place of balance, characterized by restraint and a quiet culture that particularly appeals to him in comparison to Berlin. “Hamburg is the city of discreet tones. That’s pleasant, especially if you come from Berlin, the snarky city that gets on your nerves to the point where you can’t do it anymore,” he says with a wink. Hamburg’s reserve allows him to live something that he particularly values: “Being alone in the crowd” – that is, being among many people, but still being by yourself.” It is this almost hermit quality that has kept him in the Hanseatic city for so long.
Broadcast: “Feel Hamburg” | November 27, 2024 | 06:00 a.m. | by Kaiser, Daniel
46 Min
| Available until November 27, 2026
Daniel Kaiser talks to the award-winning actor Burghart Klaußner about his long career. The actor grew up in Berlin as the child of a family of restaurateurs. His parents had a high-class restaurant where political figures like Konrad Adenauer came and went. But Klaussner never had the desire to get into the restaurant business. He was fascinated by Enid Blyton’s books, in which children solved crimes. On the other hand, he has been enthusiastic about the stage ever since he was allowed to play a bee or a bumblebee (he can’t remember exactly) as a primary school student. Dressing up particularly appealed to him. Since, at least in Enid Blyton’s books, you often had to disguise yourself as a child detective in order to solve the case, he was torn for a long time whether he should be an actor or a detective. He liked both jobs equally.
Ultimately, he decided to become an actor because as a young man he realized that the detective work in children’s books was very different from real life.
Klaussner played many major roles throughout his life and gained international fame for his role as a strict pastor in the Oscar-nominated film “The White Ribbon”. Another big success was his role as the prince’s tutor in the Netflix series “The Crown”. In a conversation with host Daniel Kaiser, he also remembers his first impression of Hamburg and explains very openly why neither FC St. Pauli nor HSV really excites him.
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The passion for acting
His motivation to become an actor was never just the urge to be on stage, but to tell stories. “I was always interested in telling about myself in a different form,” explains Klaußner. This approach is still valid today – especially for the next generation of actors. As a lecturer at acting schools, he repeatedly experiences how deep the desire of young talents to show themselves runs. “That’s still the motivation for many young actors today. They want to show their soul. If you’re a teacher at an acting school, then that’s obvious. It’s also something that touches you deeply, I’m already in tears , how such young people open up to their shirts because they have to show themselves.”
Theater, nudity and the revelation of the soul
Burghart Klaußner’s early years on the theater stage were characterized by a freedom that seems almost unusual today. “For the first six roles I played in the theater, I was always naked on stage. Once upon a time, that was the final confession or revelation stance and we just liked to take off our clothes. It was easy splendid.” However, this phase is over, he says with a smile: “But that didn’t work out. And at some point we let that go.”
A life between public and withdrawal
Throughout his long career, Burghart Klaußner has never allowed himself to be pigeonholed. Whether as a stage actor, film actor or musician – he is versatile and yet always remains true to himself. Perhaps it is this balance between the desire to tell stories and the ability to withdraw that defines him. “Klaussner is also called a hermit,” he says with a wink. And indeed: there is a bit of this hermit who uses the crowd as a shelter and inspiration at the same time in him.
In an interview with “Feel Hamburg” host Daniel Kaiser, Burghart Klaußner also explains what the children’s book author Enid Blyton had to do with his career choice, why he can’t imagine retiring and he remembers a very special moment He was able to experience it together with his actor colleague and friend Rolf Mautz in a specialist nautical chart shop.
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NDR 90.3 | “Feel Hamburg” | November 27, 2024 | 8:00 p.m
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## Interview with Burghart Klaußner
**Host:** Welcome back to World Today News! Today, we have a special treat for you. We’ll be diving into the fascinating world of renowned German actor Burghart Klaußner, known for his powerful performances in films like “The White Ribbon” and ”The Crown.”
Joining me today are two esteemed guests: **[Guest 1 name and credentials]**, a prominent film critic known for their insightful analysis of German cinema, and **[Guest 2 name and credentials]**, a theater director with extensive experience working with actors and understanding the craft’s nuances.
**Welcome to both of you!**
**Guest 1:** Thank you for having me. I’m excited to discuss Burghart Klaußner’s career.
**Guest 2:** It’s a pleasure to be here. Klaußner is a truly captivating actor, and I’m happy to share my perspective on his work.
**Host:** Let’s dive right in. The article highlights Klaußner’s preference for Hamburg’s understated atmosphere compared to the hustle and bustle of Berlin. **[Guest 1], how does this penchant for quieter spaces potentially translate into Klaußner’s stage and screen presence?**
**Guest 1:** This is a fascinating question. The article mentions Klaußner feeling “alone in the crowd” in Hamburg, which hints at a deep introspective nature. Perhaps this translates to a thoughtful intensity in his performances, allowing him to convey profound emotions subtly and realistically.
**Host:** That’s an insightful observation. **[Guest 2], having worked closely with actors, do you notice a link between an actor’s personal temperament and the characters they portray?**
**Guest 2:** Absolutely. An actor’s inner landscape, their comfort zones, and even their preferred environments often inform their performance choices. Klaußner’s appreciation for reserved settings suggests a connection to nuanced, sometimes introverted characters – roles that require a keen understanding of human emotion and restraint.
**Host:** In the article, Klaußner mentions his early years on stage involved nudity openly representing vulnerability and revelation. **[Guest 1], how has the landscape of theatrical expression changed since then? Is such open vulnerability still prevalent today?**
**Guest 1:** This is an intriguing shift. While Klaußner’s experiences might have been commonplace in his time
, today, theatrical nudity is approached with greater nuance and intentionality. While it can still be a powerful tool for storytelling, it’s often handled with a heightened sense of sensitivity and context.
**Host:** And **[Guest 2]**,how has the approach to vulnerability and emotional expression evolved in modern theater?
**Guest 2:** Modern theater explores vulnerability in a myriad of ways that go beyond physicality.
We see actors expressing profound emotions through movement,
vocalization, and subtle interactions.
The emphasis has shifted from explicit display to finding the
most authentic and impactful way to connect with the audience on
an emotional level.
**Host:**
That’s a fascinating evolution.
This article also touches
upon
Klaußner’s enduring
passion
for storytelling.
**[Guest 1],
what
do you see as
the
essence of
Klaußner’s
appeal
as an
actor?
What
makes
his
performances
so
compelling?
**
Guest 1:
I think
Klaußner’s
gift lies in
his ability
to
infuse
his characters
with a
sense
of
authenticity.
He has
a
remarkable
ability
to
moments of
humanity
in a way that
feels
real and
relatable.
He
doesn’t
shy
away
from complexity,
and that
makes
his
performances
truly
captivating.
**Host:
That’s
a
powerful
observation.
[Guest 2],
from your
experience
working with
actors, what
are
the
key
elements
that
contribute to
creating
a
truly
memorable
performance?
**Guest 2: **
I believememorable
performances
stem
from a
combination
of
talent,
dedication,
and
a deep
understanding
of
human nature. Klaußner
possesses
all
these
qualities.
He is
clearly
committed
to his
craft,
and
he
brings
a
unique
perspective
to every
role he
undertakes.
**Host:**
What a
powerful
testament to
Klaußner’s
talent.
We’re
approaching
the
end
of
our time
today,
so
let’s
wrap
up
with a
final
question
for
both
of
you.
**[Guest 1]
and
[Guest 2],
what
advice
would
you
give
to
aspiring
actors who are
inspired
by
Klaußner
s career?
**Guest 1:**
Remain
true
to
yourself
and
your
Never
be afraid
to
explore
challenging
roles
and
push
your
boundaries
as
an
artist.
**Guest 2:**
Cultivate
a
deep
understanding
of
human
nature
and
embrace
the
power
of
vulnerability.
Remember
that
great
acting
comes
from
a
place
of
authenticity
and
truth.
**Host:**
Thank
you both
for
sharing
your
insights
into the
of Burghart Klaußner.
**[Guest 1]
and
[Guest 2],
it’s
been
a
pleasure
having
you
on
the
show!
For more
on
Burghart
Klaußner
and
his
work,
be
sure
to
check out
the
Today
News website
and
the
link
to
The
White
Ribbon
and
The
Crown 존재
provided
in the
article
description.
Thank
you
all
for
tuning in!
