Christian Kohlund celebrates ten years of success with the two-part anniversary series ‘The Zurich Crime: Bochert and the City in Fear’. A look back at life’s dreams and getting older.
Not every actor has the honor of playing the lead role in a mid-70s crime thriller that has drawn audiences of millions for years – into a similar world. to Philip Marlowe of the old skeptic and humanitarian justice fighter. Ten years ago the first cover of the “Zurich crime novel” was published. Christian Kohlund is now celebrating his 20th anniversary with the 20th case, “The Zurich Crime: Bochert and the City in Fear” (Thursday, December 5th, 8:15 pm, Das Erste). In the interview, the 74-year-old actor explains what countermeasures he uses to combat his “life blues”. He has had this since it became clear that the utopias of a better society from his youth have long since failed.
prisma: You have made 20 Borchert films since 2016. How do you look back on that time?
Christian Kohlund: It’s 20 films, but actually ten years. We shot the first film in 2014. The content of the second one from 2016 was so closely related to the first one that we left it alone and waited two years until we could make the films broadcast together. What was crucial for Borchert’s series was that Roland Suso Richter took the lead from the third part onwards. He shaped the series with his images and set the format on the right track. Also regarding success. The ratings have continued to rise and the response has been very positive.
prisma: It might sound silly, but isn’t it normal for you to be watched by millions of people? After all, your name is associated with TV blockbusters like “The Black Forest Clinic” or “The Dream Hotel”…
Kohlund: Success is never a given, and it never was for me either. I am more skeptical. But also grateful for what I have been given. Especially now, at an older age. I know that my recent success is due to the older audience in Germany. This audience is known to be quite large.
“There are no older, meditative people who are unbroken”
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prisma: How much does Borchert relate to you?
Kohlund: A lot. He is an old man with an interest in justice and who wants to get back to the ideology he once had. I personally can do a lot with this idea. In addition to this we have the “Zurich Crime” team, which after ten years has become like a second family. I have also been good friends for a long time with my partner Ina Paule Klink. We are even going on tour together now.
prisma: The “Zurich Crime” differs from other crime thrillers because the hero experiences the melancholy of an old man who knows that there are not many things he can do anymore. A figure of recognition for many?
Kohlund: I don’t know if many people can identify with it, but you basically described Borchert correctly. He has suffered a private tragedy, he allowed himself to be morally corrupted, and we get to know him as he searches for the way back to honesty and humanity. But no matter how successful he is on this path: of course the wounds remain. At my age you have experienced so much that the slate is not completely white or the hope is endless. There are no older, meditative people who are unbroken.
prisma: Was Philip Marlowe’s character as Borchert missing from German crime films?
Kohlund: Maybe. I’ve always loved film noir and detectives like Philip Marlowe, which is especially associated with the Humphrey Bogart picture. I also enjoyed the French gangster films by Jean-Pierre Melville with Lino Ventura and Alain Delon. Their heroes are also great skeptics who allow a lot of sadness to shine through between the layers of life. I could do something with that. This skeptical, agnostic view makes people like Marlowe, Borchert and I start researching. Because we don’t take anything for granted. Not the worst lifestyle for a detective.
“There is no such thing as a political actor’s handbook”
prisma: The followers of truth and justice are not having an easy time in the world right now. Is it easier to live in times like this when you are older and have experienced a lot?
Kohlund: No, not at all. The complete opposite. I look at the current state of the world with great sadness and horror. Simply because I have experienced other, better times when it seemed possible to move towards a positive future. Maybe I was naive, but I would have thought that much of what is in reality today was no longer possible. Especially war in central Europe. Or that we have become so xenophobic again, but at the same time we have lost a lot in Germany because we thought we had a fundamental right to wealth.
prisma: Are you a political person?
Kohlund: Yes, yes. But of course above all artists. I find that when artists talk about politics – be it on talk shows or other formats – it usually goes wrong. Because we approach the issue far too emotionally. Emotions are what guide us. Politics, on the other hand, should be followed with a cool head, which is not the case at the moment. At least there are no proper, humane values in the minds of the creators.
prisma: What can actors do if they want to make a political impact?
Kohlund: I can only speak for myself. There is no political actor’s handbook. I try to integrate my subjects into my work. For example, I will do this with “Life Blues”, a program that is a combination of reading and music. This is the program mentioned by Ina Paule Klink: She sings her songs, I read my texts. A great guitarist supports us. I read my own texts, but also something like “The World of Security” by Stefan Zweig. Words that make you feel like they were written yesterday for today. The text appeared in 1942.
“I draw a lot of strength from music”
prisma: As a young actor, you experienced times of social change in the late 60s and 70s. Does the world feel like a failure when you realize decades later that developing the world didn’t work at all?
Kohlund: Yes, you see that all right. It is difficult to understand as we grow older that many of the utopias we had as young people have failed. I do another program called “Christmas Blues” – I also read texts written by Bert Brecht in Chicago in 1910, for example. It basically says: The problem of all problems is the poverty of the people. When you read his statements, you will realize that they are very relevant again today.
prisma: Depression and bad times can only be borne if you also feel something positive in your life. Do you have this – and where does it come from?
Kohlund: I draw a lot of strength from music. When I hear good music, my heart goes up. That’s why I like to tour with Ina Paule Klink or listen to music by Bruce Springsteen or old Rolling Stones songs. I can still enjoy beautiful music as well as a child. I can also shout Nessun Dorma or draw myself into the joy of all that is harmonious. I only have problems with inappropriate music. As a listener, I am more addicted to harmony (laughs).
prisma: You are also known as a nature and dog lover. Also a source of joy for you?
Kohlund: Yes, both are important to me. Animals, nature. In general, the world itself is beautiful when you can look at it. I participated in this feel good series “The Dream Hotel” for years, it may not have been very challenging, but it brought great benefits. They took you to amazing places in the world – under special conditions. I remember once in India we were filming at the Taj Mahal at sunrise around five in the morning. The facility remained closed to the public. When you watch the first rays of sunlight fall on this marble – and everything around you is silent and empty – you get an idea of the greatness of this world. They definitely exist, and that’s why life is worth living.
“I’m currently working on being a better grandfather”
prisma: You don’t need other people to be happy?
Kohlund: Of course, that’s so important and so obvious that I didn’t mention it at all – which is inconclusive. My family is the most important thing to me. I always tried to take the family with me when I was filming abroad and they had time. It was especially good when the children were small. Just like Paradise. .
prisma: You are now a grandfather…
Kohlund: Yes, I have two grandchildren. My daughter Francesca has two little boys. I am currently working on being a better grandfather.
prisma: What do you still have to learn as a grandfather?
Kohlund: To have more peace and time. Two factors that usually help us adults.
Those: teleschau – media service GmbH
2024-12-01 10:34:00
#star #Christian #Kohlund #interview
## World Today News Interview: Christian Kohlund on “Zurich Crime” and the Blues of Life
**(WORLD TODAY NEWS EXCLUSIVE)**
**Christian Kohlund**, the veteran German actor who has captivated audiences for decades, recently celebrated a notable milestone: 20 films in his popular “Zurich Crime” series. In an exclusive interview with World Today News, Kohlund reflected on his tenure as detective Eric Borchert, the melancholy of aging, and the role of artists in a world grappling with complexity and uncertainty.
**Celebrating a Decade of Zurich crime**
Kohlund, now 74, first donned the role of Borchert in 2014.
“The success of the series is due to several factors,” he explains. “Roland Suso Richter took the helm from the third installment and truly shaped its visual style and format. the ratings have continued to climb and the viewer response has been overwhelmingly positive.”
He attributes his recent success, particularly in the later stages of his career, to the loyal audience that has followed his work. Notably, he feels a strong connection to viewers who, like himself, have experienced life’s ups and downs.
**Borchert: A Reflection of Reality**
Kohlund finds strong parallels between himself and Borchert,a weathered detective wrestling with his past and his ideals.
“Like Borchert, I experienced a period were I believed in a better future,” Kohlund shares. “But witnessing the world’s current state, with its wars, xenophobia, and the loss of shared values, has left me with a sense of disillusionment. This sense of loss and longing fuels Borchert’s character, and I believe it resonates with manny viewers who feel similarly disillusioned.”
**Finding Solace in Art**
Kohlund refuses to let the world’s challenges extinguish his fire. He sees art,including music and his own performances,as a means to navigate these turbulent times.
“Art,in all its forms,offers a way to process and understand the complexities of life,” he states.
Together with actress and singer Ina Paule Klink, Kohlund is embarking on a tour, “life Blues,” combining storytelling and music to explore themes of hope, loss, and resilience.
**An Artist’s Political Voice**
kohlund is deeply concerned with the world’s issues, but he acknowledges the complexities of artists engaging in political discourse.
“There’s no handbook for political engagement as an artist,” he reflects. ”While emotions guide us, political discourse requires a cool head.
Instead of direct political statements, Kohlund chooses to integrate his concerns into his work, hoping to inspire reflection and dialog.
**The Future of Borchert**
Kohlund hints at the possibility of future “Zurich Crime” installments, but he remains cautious, wanting to ensure that the quality remains high. As for himself, he plans to keep exploring new creative avenues, using his platform to engage with the world’s complexities and share his insights through stories and music.
**In closing, Kohlund reminds us, “Even in the bleakest times, there’s beauty to be found, stories to be told, and connections to be made.” His dedication to his craft and his willingness to confront challenging themes make him a truly compelling and relevant figure in today’s world.**
