Henning Baum: Actor talks about poverty in Mallorca

Mallorca is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Germans. In the new drama series “The King of Palma” (from February 24 at RTL+) the sun island is viewed from a new perspective. Because all that glitters is not gold – even on Mallorca there are downsides. The focus of the six-part series is family man Matthias “Matti” Adler, who tries to gain a foothold on the Balearic island in the early 1990s. Together with his wife he opens a beer garden and has to push more and more boundaries to be successful.

The optimistic emigrant is embodied by Henning Baum (49). In contrast to many other Germans, the actor had little contact with the island before filming. Only now did he realize “how much charm Mallorca has”. But the corona pandemic has left its mark, as Baum describes in an interview with the news agency spot on news. The 49-year-old also reveals why the locals laughed at him, why he didn’t enjoy the time on the beach and how he feels about German hits.

In the new series “The King of Palma” you slip into the leading role. What attracted you to the script? Why did you want to take on the role?

Henning Baum: I received the rough idea very early on – the story appealed to me straight away. I have a good sense of whether a story has potential. However, there was still a lot of work to be done. The writers and producers were very hardworking and creative – very receptive to my ideas. In the course of this process, which went on for years, I read drafts and brought in my ideas again and again. It was a nice collaboration and a very believable character emerged. I can understand Matti’s motivation, determination and actions.

You play optimistic emigrant Matti Adler, who is trying to achieve his dreams in Mallorca. Have you ever thought of emigrating?

Baum: I am a child of the Ruhr area. In this respect, I grew up in an area that is characterized by emigration. So the idea of ​​living somewhere else is not unusual for me. I keep doing that too. Because of my work, I travel the world regularly. I see myself as a traveller. But the Ruhr area is an anchor point for me.

Have you ever been to Mallorca before filming?

Baum: I’ve been to Mallorca three times before. But I didn’t know the island well. It was only during the course of filming that I discovered how much appeal Mallorca has. I used to associate the island mainly with mass tourism – which undoubtedly exists. But Mallorca has a lot more to offer. Especially when you are ready to venture off the beaten track.

The series sheds light on the seedy structures that prevailed on the island in the early 1990s. Did you know about this before filming?

Baum: I didn’t know the details, but I had heard of individual incidents. But it’s not surprising either. Because wherever a lot of money is made, things get rough – whether at Ballermann or in Las Vegas.

How did the shooting go during Corona times in Mallorca?

Baum: We started shooting in April. At that time Corona did not allow large tourism. But at this time of year it’s not warm enough for most people to lie on the beach anyway. The sea is still very cold. There is a scene where we go swimming as a family. We are lying on the beach and the sun is shining – but it wasn’t summer weather. I had to go into the sea and the water was freezing, maybe eleven degrees. No Mallorcan would voluntarily go swimming there. Some locals supported us as extras. They were really amused that I had to go into the water again and again.

Being in Mallorca at a time when everything was closed – how did it feel?

Tree: It was very quiet on the island. At the beginning there was still a curfew, but it was eventually lifted. We quickly noticed: There is poverty on Mallorca after tourism collapsed due to Corona. Many locals were deprived of their source of income, now they had to earn money in other ways. That was really bad. I talked to the extras about it. They were happy that they could play with us. We created jobs at this point and might have been able to help one or the other. It was noticeable on the island that Corona has put many people in a difficult situation.

The series takes place shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall. What do you associate with this significant event?

Baum: Of course I can remember it very well. The fall of the Berlin Wall is the greatest event in world history that I have experienced myself. A turning point, especially in the history of the German people. I had relatives in the GDR that we visited regularly before the fall of the Wall. So I knew the GDR and the border. I know how it smelled and looked like there. That was a different world. The fall of the Wall meant that my relatives were allowed to visit us – which they did immediately at Christmas 1989. Their lives changed completely when the Wall came down. Alone that they were allowed to travel again – my relatives have made extensive use of the newly won freedom.

What did you think of the GDR as a child?

Baum: Even as a child, I didn’t understand how you could imprison and patronize a people. I knew it was wrong. When the wall was open overnight, a new age began; with new freedoms, but also with great uncertainties.

To what extent uncertainties?

Baum: The GDR existed for 40 years. People grew up with a belief that was simply put an end to in a night and day operation. Suddenly nothing was valid anymore and only the rules and laws of the West counted. This caused a great deal of uncertainty among many people. The turning point is a lengthy and far-reaching process, the offshoots of which can still be felt today. The lack of understanding with which people from East and West face each other has not been overcome to this day. That we continue to work on getting to know each other and finding unity is certainly a longer task for our people. “Unity and justice and freedom” is what our beautiful anthem says.

The show is set in 1990. How do you feel about the 1980s and 1990s? What do you associate with it?

Baum: The series reflects the 1980s style – just through the fashion and music. A new style of music emerged in the 1990s: techno. While there were techno groups like Kraftwerk before that, it wasn’t until the 1990s that the genre really got popular. Grunge also emerged – a further development of rock ‘n’ roll. After that there was no more original creation. Also in fashion: In the 1980s there was the last genuine style – like the wide shoulder pads. After that, there were only variations on previous trends.

Music is a good keyword – of course there are also hits in the series. Do you like the genre?

Baum: I can only do something with a few hits. There are a few good songs that are more in the border area between chanson and pop. A great interpreter of this mixed genre is Udo Jürgens. His lyrics and composition were really good. Of course, I know the great classics of hits like “Ti amo” by Howard Carpendale or the hits by Roland Kaiser. I used to watch the ZDF hit parade with Dieter Thomas Heck. But even as a child I realized that I wasn’t really enthusiastic about Schlager. But certain songs can be listened to later at a party (laughs).

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