asked
“I think he had the chat”: Weinfeld actress Verena Bosshard shot with Roger Federer
Verena Bosshard has been working at Weinfeld’s Bilitz-Theater for almost 25 years – and has been appearing together with Roger Federer in the new Switzerland Tourism commercial for the past week. In an interview, the 73-year-old from Zurich talks about her role and working with world stars.
Verena Bosshard was on the train with Roger Federer for the commercial.
You play in the new Switzerland Tourism commercial with Roger Federer and comedian Trevor Noah. How did you get the unusual role?
Verena Bosshard: Just as I come to such orders. Meanwhile, I have the trust of at least three casters who have known and valued me for years. They always ask me when they need an old lady.
And then?
After the first casting, the director Tom Hooper was interested, I was invited again and ended up on the shortlist. Then I got the role.
What was the deciding factor?
After the castings, all I knew was that I couldn’t have made a “nonsense”. But in the end it’s also luck, because you have to be the type you want – the director must have enjoyed my skills and my appearance.
Verena Bosshard’s appearance in the commercial with Roger Federer and Trevor Noah can be seen from minute 2:40.
How did you feel when you were accepted?
It’s always nice when you get asked for a role, but when you actually get it, it’s like winning the lottery.
Were you nervous when you faced Roger Federer?
No, I don’t play tennis and I had no reason to. It doesn’t really matter to me who I’m dealing with, we just have to be good together. I dread meeting world famous people like Federer and Noah, but I stayed calm.
Do you have no relation to Federer at all?
Yes, definitely. I can remember him winning one of his first major tournaments. I was in France at the time and overheard others talking about Federer. Then I said to my partner: Look, now we have another young Swiss man who is causing a sensation.
How did you experience the two world stars on the film set?
We didn’t talk about private things, but we worked well together and improvised. Roger Federer was just himself, without airs and graces. I think he really had the chat. And Trevor Noah is also a very likeable character.
Roger Federer and Trevor Noah filming at Zurich main station.
How did the shoot go?
It lasted two days and we always had to be within reach of the director. I suspect that he also works ad hoc alongside the script. If he thinks of something, he wants to implement it immediately, and for that he needs everyone.
Solve the mystery: did you actually ride the Goldenpass Express?
The train was briefly on the way for individual scenes, but only to the end of the platform. In the part in which I appear, the train is in the depot – after all, we couldn’t close two platforms at Zurich main station for two days.
The scenes at the beginning of the commercial were filmed on the platform.
You went to the shooting after an emergency operation. How was it?
I wasn’t quite fit yet, but because I could always sit in my role, I knew I could do it. I was allowed to wait on the train during the breaks, and at the end the director thanked me for my good performance.
The commercial has been flickering through the Swiss public for a week. Are you satisfied with the end product?
I don’t know how celebrities like Federer and Noah are treated but I didn’t see the footage before it was released. The likes of us have to rely on the crew to choose the best cuts. Even though we shot other fresh scenes, I think the whole spot is good and funny.
Not all of the scenes from the shoot made it into the finished spot.
And what is your personal conclusion?
You can always do something better, but I certainly don’t have to be ashamed. I have the feeling that I come across as natural, that means a lot to me.
Have you already received reactions to the spot?
I always get feedback when I’m featured somewhere. I’ve also been approached by the Weinfeld market people, who I don’t even know how they got my name from. Because the spot with Federer and Noah is such a big story, things like this are happening more often than usual.
Verena Bosshard’s husband Bruno Rüttimann dedicated a comic drawing to his wife’s performance.
“Late honor for Roger Federer”
Commenting on his drawing, Bruno Rüttimann writes with a wink: After retiring from the international sports scene, former tennis legend Roger Federer is returning to the limelight. For a lavish commercial for Switzerland Tourism, the champion was given the honor of appearing in front of the camera together with the prominent Bilitz actress Verena Bosshard. Verena Bosshard says appreciatively: “Roger does his job very professionally and absolutely great!”
Was filming in Zurich the highlight of your career?
The feeling of having shot with two big names is nice. Who knows, maybe the spot will become the ultimate catapult for me.
Sounds like you still have big plans.
I am working on my retirement career. Acting keeps me alive, I want to keep going until I can’t anymore. I would love to give my own eulogy and then “Chopf voraa id Comfitüre”, that’s it.
