Status: 08/31/2023 10:33 a.m
His debut novel became Charly Hübner’s feature film directorial debut: “Sophia der Tod und ich” is now showing in North German cinemas. How did the work on the film go? Musician Thees Uhlmann in conversation.
Thees Uhlmann is best known as a North German musician through and through – with his band Tomte or as a solo artist. In 2015 he wrote his debut novel. “Sophia, Death and I”, which is coming to the cinema now.
What is it like when the characters in the novel suddenly come to life on the screen?
Thees Uhlmann: I have to start off with a self-compliment. I’m relatively unpretentious when it comes to things like this. Even after 25 years of making art, I still rely on my gut feeling. If I know that Charlie Hübner is directing and that King Rocko Schamoni is also taking part in the film, then that’s actually enough for me. I don’t know much about acting and the art of acting. But I also think I can see that the people who are in the film – and who play the three most important roles – play really well together. For example: How Anna Maria is playing trouble – that it’s a mixture of three different ex-girlfriends of mine. That’s exactly how I planned it in the book – this northern German, rugged. It’s really nice that it turned out like this, I really have to say. I feel that my novel is very well implemented and reproduced.
Further information
The mixture of comedy, tragedy and road movie comes up with great actors and clever and thrilling theatrical ideas. more
The starting point is that death is at the door and says: I am death and you must come with me now. Very impressive and funny played by Marc Hosemann. That’s actually a sad thing. To get something out of it, i.e. to make it credible, didn’t you have any doubts that it could succeed?
Uhlmann: If I had any doubts, I would never have had my own record company with the guys from Kettcar for 20 years. If I had doubts I would never have started my music and stuff like that. I don’t think that’s really the case for me. Of course I would be kind of scared if I had offered the book rights to a commercially oriented private broadcaster for an insane amount of money. And then they would have said Verena Kerth would take part, and one of the guys who won the jungle last time would then play the leading actor. Then I would have said: Thanks for the money, but creatively I’m a bit scared. We sat together for the first time, back then with Detlev Buck, who brought us all together a bit. Then there was the first conversation. Then Charly Hübner got up and said: A woman moves like that. Charly Hübner looks a bit like me and is even taller and shirt-sleeved. When he manages to move like a woman – that impressed me so much. Since then I haven’t worried anymore.
You also wrote a song for the film: “No matter what I’ll do, I’ve always thought of you,” he says. Did you approach this song a little differently because you knew it was going to be a song about the film?
Uhlmann: My composing skills are limited. But I mean, I already wrote the book out of myself. There are many things in there that I see and have experienced myself – some things, no matter what I do, that are always there. Of course that sounds strange now, but of course FC St Pauli is somehow always there in everything I do here in Berlin – even if it’s just going to Edeka. Or my daughter – also in that order, of course (laughs). Such simple things that always accompany you, not at all pushy and not at all ambivalent. But it’s only as beautiful or only as deep, because these things are always with you.
After the trailer I’m already on fire and I’m looking forward to the film.
Uhlmann: I am looking forward. I’m also very proud – you can say that sometimes. Of course, I also had the big idea: Then I would also write the script for it. I also downloaded the computer program that is used to write screenplays all over the world. So I wrote around like that. After three pages I was so embarrassed because it really is a completely different art. Writing music, writing lyrics and also writing books – I can pretty much do that, I feel safe there too. But writing a screenplay like that is something completely different. Then I met a really great artist – Lena Graf. She then explained to me how she would avoid some of the pitfalls in the book, which are easy if you want to visualize it. That’s even better for me than if I had managed to do it myself. That you are confronted with people who say: I have the following idea about what you came up with, Thees. I found that very, very romantic and I’m super proud of her.
The interview was conducted by Philipp Schmid.
Further information
Charly Hübner celebrates his directorial debut with “Sophia, der Tod und Ich” – he can also be seen in front of the camera in a supporting role. more
3 Min
Hübner actually celebrates his directorial debut with “Sophia, der Tod und Ich”, but he can also be seen in front of the camera for a supporting role. 3 mins
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NDR Culture | The Morning | 08/31/2023 | 7:20 a.m
2023-08-31 19:44:42
#Thees #Uhlmann #rely #gut #feeling
