Anja Kling has been one of the most famous faces on German TV for many years. In the star-Interview, she talks about her new ZDF crime drama “The Robbery of Millions” and criticizes the fact that there are still too few role offers for actresses over 50.
By Alexander Nebe
In the ZDF crime thriller “The Robbery of Millions”, in which you play an accomplished lawyer, a lot of trust is abused and lost. How do you react when this happens to you in real life?
Luckily, this hasn’t happened to me often so far – but of course I’m incredibly disappointed and need time to digest it.
Can you also do a hard cut then?
That’s difficult for me, and a lot of porcelain must have been broken for that. I need time and distance, but at some point almost everything is out of date for me. Then I can get closer to the people I thought I never wanted to have anything to do with again. It might take a few years, but at some point I’ll think to myself: It’s okay now, and it’s starting to get silly if I’m still angry and hurt.
In “The Robbery of Millions” a variety of characters are after a cash van robbery worth seven and a half million euros. Why do many of us lose our rationality at some point when faced with so much money?
The more money is involved, the greater the greed becomes. That’s human in a way – but the second this greed harms others, it stops for me. But I can understand the basic longing for more prosperity. That’s why so many people play the lottery.
You too?
I did this regularly over a period of two years. But I had no luck in the game – it wasn’t even enough for a three-pointer. And that’s why I left it again.
Once we have a certain amount of money, are we all ultimately buyable in a certain way?
No, there are people, situations and things that definitely cannot be bought. Neither am I, for example.
Certainly?
Even for money, I wouldn’t do anything that I didn’t have my heart behind or that I wouldn’t happily and voluntarily do without money. For example, you could offer me a lot of money for a bungee jump – but something like that would still be out of the question for me in life. I wouldn’t spend any money in the world racing through the oceans as a free swimmer in a swimsuit or doing other, in my view, life-threatening things.
What if a very wealthy fan offered you an immoral amount of money for a one-night stand?
I would also get out of there straight away without thinking!
Anja Kling (r.) in her role as lawyer Alice König in the crime thriller “The Robbery of Millions”. The film will be shown on Monday, April 8, 2024 at 8:15 p.m. on ZDF.
You have been one of the busiest actresses in Germany for decades…
… and yet my order situation has changed a little since I turned 50. My industry is currently going through a strange phase of change. There is less filming, there are fewer projects and often lower salaries. And unfortunately this is particularly noticeable in my age group. It’s certainly the case that I’m complaining on a high level: I still shoot regularly, but compared to before, there are definitely fewer new projects today.
So youth madness is still an issue in the acting business – despite the diversity discussion and woke culture?
There still aren’t enough stories for actresses in my age group. The need is there – and many viewers would be happy to see more women aged 50 plus on TV and in the cinema. There are a few cautiously optimistic impulses and exciting script ideas, but so far I see little motivation to implement these ideas. A few thick boards will probably have to be drilled, which could take a while. Hopefully not for too long.
How annoying is this situation?
Luckily I knew what to expect beforehand. My mother Margarita, who ran an acting agency for decades and still manages me today, warned me years ago that after 50 things would change. I recently read an article in which one of the streaming bosses said that they generally wouldn’t film with older actors. The reason: It is firmly believed that even older students prefer to look at younger faces than at the faces of their age group. A statement that shocked me.
How do you feel about your perceived age in 2024?
Even though I have just turned 54, this number feels like a foreign body to me. Mentally I’m at around my late thirties and physically I don’t feel much older either. The only thing that tells me my true age is my reflection in the bathroom.
Does that make you a little sad?
Not at all, and that is the deciding factor. I register the changes, get dressed and happily plunge into life. Because I’m fine. I have a husband who loves me even as I get older and with whom I have a wonderful, happy, easy relationship. Thank God we are all getting older together.
Doesn’t the feeling that your own finiteness becomes more tangible over the years bother you at all?
I have made peace with that. Finiteness is just part of life. I just hope that I don’t have to say goodbye too soon and spend the last few years vegetating due to serious illnesses. Like probably everyone else, I dream of falling asleep in the evening after a fulfilling life and then never waking up the next day. And that I was able to say to myself before: My life was wonderful with all its ups and downs, but now it’s also good, I’ve lived my fill and can leave with an inner smile.
How did your parents influence you?
I had a beautiful and sheltered childhood. Our everyday life was strongly supported by an optimistic sense of humor. There was a lot of laughter – even in situations that weren’t that funny. After 60 years of marriage, my parents are still very loving, tolerant and understanding towards each other. This beautiful basic atmosphere has accompanied us throughout our lives, for which I am very grateful.
What have you passed on to your own children?
I automatically passed on an unshakable optimism and a humorous view of life through my basic character. At the same time, I also wanted Alea and Tano to become courageous and strong people who dare to stand up when necessary – but who are also no strangers to modesty and humility.